Dipping Bread
This started out as a copycat recipe for Macaroni Grill’s bread loaves that they bring to your table before your meal. You know – while you wait for your ridiculously huge meal they give you some ridiculously delicious bread to munch on. Before you know it you and your husband have eaten your way through 2 loaves and FORTHELOVEOFPASTA you try to stop yourself from ripping off one more piece and dipping it in that shallow dish of delicious olive oil.
That bread.
Through the years I have added a few spices here and there but feel free to keep it simple or season it up with whatever would go well with your meal.
This is a basic bread recipe that would be difficult to mess up. If you are new to bread-baking this is a great recipe to start with. If you are a seasoned baker you will like the simplicity of throwing this recipe together for your next meal. It makes 4 small loaves – perfect little portions. The recipe also doubles easily.
We enjoy this bread dipped in plain extra virgin olive oil but we also like to change things up a bit sometimes. Come back later this week and I’ll share the spiced up olive oil recipe too! 🙂
Dipping Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast, or substitute one packet
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Cup warm water, 105°-115°F
- 2 ½ Cups flour, separated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary + extra for sprinkling
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- Sea salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Combine yeast, sugar, and water in a large bowl and allow mixture to become bubbly (5-10 minutes).
- Add 2 cups of flour, salt, and whatever seasonings you are using. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes by hand adding additional flour as necessary.
- Place dough ball into an oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let dough rise until doubled, about an hour.
- Punch dough down and divide into 4 sections. Let dough rest for 5 minutes.
- Shape dough into oblong loaves and place on greased baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and seasonings. Let rise for 25 minutes.
- Just before baking sprinkle with sea salt. Bake at 400°F for 12-16 minutes until golden.
108 Comments on “Dipping Bread”
Carbaholic? You? 😉 Me too
No question, this is perfect dipping bread! I have trouble at places like Macaroni Grill and Bertucci's, I can't eat the bread any longer and it is pure torture to look at it and smell it. I won't be making this recipe…but not because I don't think it's wonderful!!! Buzzed.
Oh no! Bread is definitely my weakness!
Carolyn I feel your pain. 🙁
I'm SO happy you stopped by! 😉 Oh fresh herbs in this is ahhh-mazing!
Thanks! You know Jennifurla I can *never* comment on your blog – but I am there! Google issues I guess keep preventing me 🙁 Yummm Edamame and Avocado spread!! Have you considered changing your setting to allow Name/URL comments? Because then I think Blogger will let me in.
Ooooh Penne Rustica. Now I'm hungry.
AWESOME that you tried it!! And yes the spiced up oil is coming 😉 I promise! I'm SO happy you tried the bread. It is very simple (as far as bread recipes go). Yay!!!
It has never made it past the dinner table in our house…but mmm lunch the next day?? Now you have me thinking!
ooh yum! I hope you are recovered from your vertigo 🙁
lol! It is quite irresistable I must say. 😉 Thanks Sandra
You'll love it – sooo easy!
I love baking yeast breads and I love what you've done with a "basic" recipe. I'm inspired!
You had me at bread! Just call me Rachel the carboholic. I too have a seriously hard time resisting bread when it's offered prior to meals at restaurants. Do you have a Not Your Average Joes near you? Oh heaven their bread is insane. I've got to try this recipe in the very near future… maybe even as a lunch treat 🙂
Easy and quick to make. It looks very tasty! Thanks!!
Hi Katrina…saw your dipping bread on foodgawker and can't resist hopping in. I have a whole load of herbs recently given to me by a friend who had just came back from a visit to Italy so I am really excited to use them and this bread is a good place to start:D Thanks for sharing!
I am totally addicted to that bread! I go to Macaroni Grill for the bread and Penne Rustica. Be still my heart! Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to your olive oil dip!
This bread will taste fantastic with my favorite Greek salad, Katrina! (Lots of dipping opportunities,lol) thanks for sharing, enjoy the week!
that looks delightful, I love their bread too
So I know I already commented once but… I made this bread, and WOW. It was so good. Now, I'm going to hold you to your promise to post the oil recipe too! Because I know that would make it even better! But I'm not very good with breads, active dry yeast scares me, I never quite get it right. But this worked. So THANK YOU. My husband and I appreciate it! 🙂
I haven't been to Macaroni Grill in forever but I do remember loving the bread. This looks so delicious!
Love this bread! Don't live near a Macaroni Grill anymore, so I never get it! Thanks for the recipe!
I could eat this entire loaf! Looks so chewy and delicious!
Nice! I always love trying out new recipes for bread, and this one sounds yummy & looks really nice too… I like the way you've cut the loaves. Nice one, Katrina!
I would love to make a sandwich out of this bread AND THEN dip it in herby olive oil. Another great recipe Katrina!
Katrina this looks fantastic!!!!! i'll take two! <3
This bread looks definitely dippable! I've got some new pistachio dukkah I'm dying to try and this bread looks perfect for it.
What are you doing to me???? This is soooo sooo good Katrina! I love dipping bread especially your recipe..this is must try asap:))) Look fantastic!!!
I could eat this right now for breakfast! Looks delicious.
Great I didn't post any pictures this time, but I will definitely be making it again for my blog (with links galore to you of course!). I'll send you a photo when I make it again.
Due to food poisoning, I haven't had or wanted food in the last 48hrs…but this changes everything! Your bread and olive oil are the first thing I want 🙂
I love easy bread recipes! And I love delicious bread to dip into sauces. I do get annoyed when restaurants bring out food before the meals. I always eat too much and never have room for my meal. I have just plan for it now. Eat bread for dinner and take home the "real' meal for the next day. I never understood the people who request NOT to have it on the table. It is way too good to pass up.
I know what you mean! Then you have to ask for a box immediately because you cannot finish your meal!! What we really should be doing is just order a drink and eat the bread 🙂
Are you kidding me?! I just posted it this mornng – that is awesome!!! Thanks for letting me know! Feel free to post a pic to my facebook page or email it to me. I have an album where I feature recipes that my readers have made.
I've never understood why restaurants make their bread SO good. I guess in a way it's good for us because we end up taking half the food home for the next day. I love your version too. I'll be giving this a try for sure.Many thanks for passing it along.
I stumbled across this recipe this afternoon and headed into the kitchen to make it immediately. I subbed half whole wheat flour and used Italian seasoning. The small loaves were perfect!
Oh my yumminess!!! I suddenly have a taste for bread… dipped in olive oil! I love that combo and I always load up on it when I go to those restaurants. I end up with a doggie bag because I fill up on the bread. 🙂
This looks so good! This is very similar to the recipe I use for pizza dough, bread and pretty much everything…I know it can't fail. I'm definately going to give this a try! 🙂
Wow this looks incredible. It reminds me of bread served at local restaurants around where I live. I cannot wait to make this!
I always eat waaay to much of this bread every time we go out. Now I have a recipe to make it at home. This might be trouble.
Mmm, any bread that includes rosemary is okay in my book! This looks awesome!
Fantastic! I love good bread with a dipping sauce. You really hit a home run with this one!
I know this bread of which you speak! It's managed to leave me with loads of takeaway boxes because I always stuff my face with this before my food comes! Now, however, I can rock it at home. Or rather, ask my friend Norma to make it for me because me + baking = disaster 🙂 Buzzed!
Uhhhhh…I am totally hypnotized by the bread…I must have the bread….
Seriously though, this looks gorgeous. Who can resist the call of fresh made bread?!?!
Yummo! I can't resist bread either and will definitely be trying this soon!
Pam @ From Apples To Zucchini
Awesome!
Yum!! I'm going to try out this recipe sometime this week. Looks absolutely delicious 🙂
Katrina this bread looks fantastic!! Looks like something I would get a restaurant, delicious! 🙂
Oh I hope you DO make it – so simple to make in the afternoon and have in time for dinner 🙂
I was looking for a recipe like this last night to go with our steak and veggies, bookmarking!! It looks and sounds incredible!