This fluffy, strongly flavoured garlic and herb bread is the perfect side for an Italian meal, whether you choose to eat it while still warm or wait for it to cool.
Makes two smallish loaves
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins + 1 hour 20 mins resting time
Ingredients
1 tbsp instant dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup of lukewarm water
1 tsp salt
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups of plain flour
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese, finely grated
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Method
Stir the yeast, sugar and water together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Add salt and all of the herbs, including the garlic, and stir well.
Sift in two cups of flour and the parmesan cheese and stir until combined. You should end up with sa smooth and elastic dough that is slightly sticky. You can add a little extra flour if needed.
Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with cling film and set aside for around 1 hour. It should double in size during this time.
Divide the dough in half and shape into two round loaves. Place the loaves onto ta baking sheet dusted with cornflour and let them rise another 15 to 20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 180°C.
Once risen, top each loaf with a knob of butter and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Eat warm, slathered with butter, or cool, dipped in olive oil.
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