A light and airy bread topped with garlic-infused olive oil and fresh herbs
Combine yeast and water in a large glass bowl. Stir together with finger. Let sit until yeast begins to bubble. Meanwhile, combine flour and salt in a medium bowl. Pour flour over the top of yeast mixture. Mix with hands until all is combined. Let the dough sit for about 10 minutes. Remove dough from the bowl and place on a floured surface. Stretch the dough out and pull each corner in and over until the dough becomes a tight ball. (This develops the gluten). Place the dough back in the bowl and allow to rise for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Check the dough at this time. It should be noticeably raised in size and light and airy. If not, allow rising for 30 minutes more. Preheat oven to 475. Place a baking pan with 1 inch of water into the bottom of the oven. (Lowest rack) Grease a 16x24 inch baking sheet with a Tablespoon of olive oil. Place dough on the baking sheet and spread out evenly. Press fingers into the dough making dimples across the surface. Combine remaining olive oil with garlic. Drizzle over the top of the bread dough. Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs. Place bread in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the baking pan filled with water. Allow the steam to leave the oven. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until bread is golden brown.