I love Carbs – Faux Macaroni Grill Bread

When I was a kid, we spent a lot of time driving to Texas for horse shows.  One year while in Ft. Worth, we stumbled across Macaroni Grill.  I was in love.  I kind of have a serious thing for Italian food.

Jump forward a few years and we got one close, like within 1 1/2 hours drive time.  Well since then it has closed down and the one that opened even closer has closed down?  Really?  darn!  They have this phenomenal bread the bring to the table.  This recipe here, pretty darn close!  I’m in love, again! Don’t worry hubby, I’m not trading you in!!

So I made this for an Italian Themed Sunday Night Dinner one night and DiverGirl gave me fits about this not being in our diet.  More on that later though.

Enjoy! It’s super simple.

1 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp dried yeast
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp dried rosemary
2 1/2 cup flour

Place water and yeast in the bottom of your mixer bowl.  Add the rest of the remaining ingredients.  Mix with the dough hook of your mixer for 5 minutes.  Place oil in the bottom of the bowl and let your dough rise for 1 1/2 hours until it has doubled in size.

Punch your dough down and then roll out into the shape you want.  You’ll need to work on a lightly floured surface, but try to keep as much flour off the dough as possible.  I rolled mine into an oblong surface and then cut it in half trying to get close to a square shape like they serve at the restaurant.

Place on a baking sheet and brush the top with some olive oil and sprinkle with additional dried rosemary.  Finish off with a sprinkling of Kosher salt.

Bake in a preheated oven 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

Remove from oven and enjoy with olive oil dipping sauce.