convinced i could live off of charcuterie and this bread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup (235 ml) warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – I used half bread flour tbh… ran out of AP and turned out fine
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Steps:

1. in pan, combine olive oil and herbs over low heat for approx. 5-10 minutes
2. in a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast and honey (or maple syrup because you don’t have honey and they’re basically the same??) (or mix these but add the fridge yeast because you don’t have the packets and just add it to the flour mixture instead but a bit more)
3. add 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of infused olive oil mixture to the bowl with water and maple syrup … let sit for 5 minutes (mostly so you can sort of clean up the kitchen rn)
4. mix in the remaining flour and olive oil – alternating until it comes together with wooden spoon
5. knead on floured surface until it gets to the elastic-y consistency you know and love
6. move to oiled bowl and cover with warm damp towel
7. let rise for an hour ish
8. after an hour, transfer dough onto oiled baking sheet and press down into the pan (doesn’t have to fit the entire thing)
9. also add olives if you’re feeling extra spicy
10. poke around with your fingers so it’s dimpled (i guess thats the right word?) and drizzle remaining olive oil onto dough
11. pre-heat to 450 and let dough rise again during that time
12. bake for 15-20 minutes