Garlic-Herb Crusty French Bread

I made this bread to go with our lima bean soup tonight and it was out of this world! I just used my regular crusty french bread/pizza dough recipe and added in the herbs and spices. It came out great! Here are some pics.

Recipe:

2 1/4 tsp yeast
1-1/2 Cups warm water, divided
1 Tbl honey
2 tsp salt
1 Tbl olive oil
4 Cups all-purpose flour (can use half whole wheat, yummy)
1 tsp granulated garlic (this is to make it garlic-herb bread)
1 tsp italian seasoning (this is to make it garlic-herb bread)
Cornmeal (optional)

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup water with 1 tsp sugar, let it proof. Add honey, salt, oil and remaining water; stir until dissolved. Add flour and stir until you can knead it. Knead for 6-10 minutes or until it is elastic and smooth. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise n a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled. Punch down. Divide in half; let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into a 10" x 8" rectangle. Roll up from a long side; pinch edge to seal.Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Sprinkle tips with cornmeal. With a very sharp knife, make 5 diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf, about 1/4" deep. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 400* for 20 - 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

You do not need the cornmeal if you use a W pan.

Here is the dough, oiled and ready to rise.

Here it is risen:

Here it is punched down, shaped and ready for second rise:

It has doubled and ready to bake!

Finished results! It was a BIG HIT! The entire family ate every piece of it! Dh i think ate 3/4 of one entire loaf. I put four slices in a baggie to go with his lunch tomorrow. You can see in this picture that after i took it from the oven and ran to get my camera, some little bread thief had been by.......my family loves homemade bread. this is such a great savory bread. You gotta try it! It went great with the Lima Bean soup!