Autum is the air. We have been having cloudy mornings, cool nights and the breeze whispers promises of colored leaves, apples and rainy mornings. What better way to great the approaching autom than to bake bread?

I love making bread at home, the whole process is so comforting, almost therapeutic.

Watching yeast bubble with excitment as it gets ready to help you make bread magic.

Kneading the dough and feeling it transform under your finger tips from a lumpy mass into a sliky smooth ball.

 Watching the dough rise and  you can’t help but smile when your child asks you with worry in her eyes “mum is it going to explode?”

Punching the dough down and then forming it into whatever shape you want ..it is all up to you and your imagination

Baking your bread and allowing the smell to wash over you.

Cutting into a loaf of warm bread and enjoying the first bite.

This aromatherapy bread does all that and more. Preparing the topping alone will fill your house with a cloud of herbs and tantalizing smells that  will require considerable amount of self control to stop yourself from eating it as such there and then. But I do promise you that the self control will be well worth it if you carry through with making the bread. Pairing this aromatic topping with the smokiness of the roasted pepper, the fluffy soft texture of the bread and the slight tang of the mustard is an experience you don’t want to miss

Herbed onion bread

Ingredients

For the dough

500 grams (3 1/2 cups) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon sugar

 1 1/2 tablespoons yeast

2 teaspoon salt

80 grams (3/4 stick) butter

2-3 tablespoons chopped roasted pepper

200-300 ml (1 to 1 1/2 cups) warm water

pinch of pepper

Spread on top of the dough

1 tablespoon mustard

Parmesan cheese

Topping

500 grams (almost 1 pound) sliced onions

1 tablespoon capers

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons rosemary

1/3 cup pitted chopped olives

2 teaspoons oregano

Instructions

To make the dough

1. Proof the yeast by mixing it with the sugar and 1 cup warm water, the yeast should bubble and foam
2. Mix the butter, flour, salt and pepper in a food processor or with your finger tips
3. Slowly add the water and knead till you get a smooth dough
4. Cover and keep in a warm place till it doubles in size
5. Punch the dough down and then spread it in an oiled pan
6. Dimple the dough top with your finger tips
7. Spread the mustard on top of the dough and sprinkle with cheese

To make the topping

1. Heat the oil in a pot
2. Add the garlic and capers, stir for 2-3 minutes
3. Add the onions and salt and cook over low heat until the onions are translucent (don’t over cook the onions or they will burn in the oven)
4. Add the rosemary and oregano and cook for 2 more minutes
5. Allow the topping to cool slightly then spread it on top of the dough
6. Bake in a 200 (392) degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown
7. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes