A store bought bread will not due for the feast day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. You need to make a homemade bread for this patron saint of bakers. Italian herb bread is a fitting choice.
Today is the feast day of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. She was the daughter of Andrew II. At the age of four she was brought to the court of her future husband Ludwig Landgrave. She married him in 1221
She performed many charitable acts towards widows, orphans, the sick and needy.
After the early death of her husband in 1227, she put aside her royal duties in order to serve God. This did not sit well with others who felt she should continue her royal duties. Because of this, the goods given to her as a widower were withheld. She was forced to leave her home. Everyone feared to help her due to her enemies and she was forced to live in a abandoned pig stye in the cold for over a year.
Finally in 1228 she took the veil of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Marburg.
She lived out the rest of her days in a small hut and spent the rest of her time on this earth helping the sick and poor.
In 1231 she passed away. She was twenty four years old.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of bakers. One of her symbols is a basket of bread.
Herb Bread
Ingredients:
2 packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons Italian seasonings
4-6 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
Directions:
In a mixer fitted with a dough hook combine active dry yeast, milk and sugar. Allow to bloom for 5 minutes. When it is bubbly add the butter seasonings flour and salt. Allow to knead until smooth and rubbery about 5 minutes. Set aside and allow to rise one hour and until dough is doubled in size.
Punch dough down and shape into two loaves. Place loaves into greased loaf pans. Allow to rise again until doubled in size about 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Bake the loaves for 35 minutes. Allow to cool on a rack for about 15 minutes before removing from pan.
Peace be with you,
Veronica
