Railroad Tie Herb Bread
A rustic, herb-infused sourdough loaf baked with a chewy crust, inspired by vintage railroad collectibles and estate sales. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 145 minutes pairs bread flour, active sourdough starter, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1/2 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup active sourdough starter, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp dried rosemary, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding up to 1/4 cup extra flour if sticky.
- Step 3: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest at room temperature for 2 hours until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Gently degas the dough and shape into a loaf. Place seam-side down in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan, then brush the top with 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 5: Cover and let rise for 1 hour until puffy. Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Railroad Tie Herb Bread take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (120 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Railroad Tie Herb Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bread flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Railroad Tie Herb Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Railroad Tie Herb Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Railroad Tie Herb Bread?
French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
