Description

This Cheese, Garlic and Herb Quick Bread is a flavorful no-yeast bread perfect for a savory snack or accompaniment to meals. Made with a mix of fresh herbs, crushed garlic, and a generous amount of cheese, this quick bread features a moist, tender crumb with swirls of herb and garlic flavor throughout. Its easy preparation and baking process make it an ideal homemade bread for 8 to 10 people, served fresh and warm.

Ingredients

Scale

Herb and Garlic Swirl

2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 small garlic cloves, crushed or grated
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for fine table salt)

Dry Ingredients

2 1/4 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
1 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate soda, or substitute 3 1/2 tsp baking powder)
3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt)

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular, full fat, unsweetened)
3/4 cup milk (full fat preferred, low fat okay)
2 large eggs (~50-55g / 2oz each)
3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter, melted

Additional

7 oz / 200g block of cheese, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed with garlic crusher or grated

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F, suitable for both fan and standard ovens to ensure even baking.
Prepare Loaf Tin: Lightly grease a 21 x 11 x 7 cm (8.3 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches) loaf pan with butter or oil spray, then line it with baking paper to prevent sticking.
Make Herb and Garlic Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped fresh rosemary, parsley, dried oregano, thyme, crushed garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until it forms a thick, dollop-able mixture that will be swirled through the batter.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and 3/4 tsp salt until well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the plain yogurt, milk, eggs, and melted unsalted butter together until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Layer 1 with Swirl and Cheese: Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Dollop one-third of the herb and garlic mixture over the batter, then use a knife to swirl it throughout the batter in up-and-down and twisting motions. Add one-third of the cheese slices, pushing some into the batter and some leaving them partially exposed.
Layers 2 and 3: Repeat the previous step twice more with the remaining batter, herb mixture, and cheese slices, creating three layers with visible herb swirls and cheese pieces.
Bake Bread: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, cover the loaf loosely with foil to prevent over-browning, then bake for an additional 20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer in the center; it should come out clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, optionally slathered with additional butter for extra richness.

Notes

For a subtler herb flavor, reduce the amount of rosemary and parsley.
You can substitute baking soda with 3 1/2 tsp baking powder if unavailable.
For best results, use full-fat milk and yogurt for moisture and flavor.
Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
Cheese types like cheddar, mozzarella, or a mild gouda work well in this recipe.
Swirling the herb mixture evenly gives lovely marbling and flavor throughout the bread.
Cooling the bread before slicing helps prevent crumbling.