Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

In a large bowl (or if you will be using a stand mixer, the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook), combine the warm water, honey, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes to proof. The yeast should look foamy (if it doesn't, the yeast is dead or the water was too hot or too cold; your bread won't rise, so you will need to start over).

Stir in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and vital wheat gluten (if using). Stir in 1 tablespoon of the rosemary, salt, garlic, oregano, basil, and pepper.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with yeast and stir by hand (or mix with the hook), until the dough forms a ball. If the dough seems dry, sprinkle water over the top 1 tablespoon at a time, until it holds together in a rough ball.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 10 minutes by hand (or mix with the dough hook for 8 minutes on medium low), until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be tacky and moist but should not be overtly sticky and cling to your hands. If it is too sticky, add additional all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon at a time, being sure to knead (or mix) it in completely before adding more.

Lightly coat a clean bowl with nonstick spray or olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours. (An unheated oven is a great place for this—just don’t forget about the dough and preheat your oven by mistake! Not that I’ve done this…). If your kitchen is extra cool (or your dough is being stubborn), you may need to let it rise for longer. Don't rush the process.

Once the dough has nearly doubled, lightly flour a sheet of parchment paper and turn the dough out onto it (you do not need to punch it down).

Lightly flour your hands. Gently take the top edge of the dough and stretch it away from you. Fold it up and over so that it touches the center. Repeat with the bottom, then the left and right sides so that you create a rough square.

With a spatula or bench scraper (or gentle fingers) flip the dough over. Cup your hands around the dough and tuck the edges under to form a round ball, starting at the square's "corners." Place seam-side down on the parchment paper.

Cover with a clean towel, then let rise until nearly doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours more (again, you may need longer depending upon the temperature of your kitchen).

When it's nearing time to bake, place a pizza stone (if you have one) or Dutch oven in the oven and preheat the oven (with the stone/Dutch oven in it) to 400 degrees F.

If you are using a Dutch oven, once the dough has finished its second rise and you are ready to bake, trim two opposite sides of the paper to fashion "handles," then trim around the bread to create a bread sling, which makes it easier to lower in the Dutch oven (see photos).

With a sharp knife or bread lame, cut an “X” in the top of the loaf that is 1/4-inch deep to allow steam to escape during baking.

Using the parchment paper, gently lift the dough onto the preheated stone or into the Dutch oven. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the dough from the oven and brush the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon rosemary and a big pinch of flaky salt. Return to the oven and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees on an instant read thermometer. (If not using an instant read thermometer, look for the top to be golden brown and bread to sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.) Keep an eye on the bread towards the end of its baking time. If it starts to look darker than you would like, loosely tent it with foil.

Transfer the dough to a cooling rack and let cool to (almost) room temperature (if you can stand it), then slice and serve warm.