Pesto and Feta Pull-Apart Bread
Get ready to indulge in a savoury delight with our Pesto and Feta Pull-Apart Bread. This extreme baking creation combines the aromatic flavours of homemade pesto with the creamy tanginess of feta cheese, all wrapped in a soft and pillowy bread. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of creating this irresistible bread, from making the pesto from scratch to assembling and baking the pull-apart loaf. Join us as we explore the ingredients, provide step-by-step instructions, and highlight the nutritional benefits of this extreme baking sensation.
Ingredients:
For the Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bread Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Filling:
- 200g feta cheese, crumbled
- Prepared pesto (from the recipe above)
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Making the Pesto:
- In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.
- Preparing the Bread Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
- Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Assembling and Baking the Pull-Apart Bread:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle.
- Spread a generous amount of prepared pesto over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the pesto-covered dough.
- Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log into about 1-inch thick slices.
- Arrange the slices vertically in the greased loaf pan, pressing them closely together.
- Brush the top of the bread with melted butter and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Nutritional Information:
(per serving):
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 11g
- Fibre: 2g
- Calcium: 10% of the daily recommended value
- Iron: 8% of the daily recommended value
- Magnesium: 6% of the daily recommended value
- Zinc: 4% of the daily recommended value
- Copper: 8% of the daily recommended value
- Potassium: 2% of the daily recommended value
Delight your taste buds with the incredible combination of flavours in our Pesto and Feta Pull-Apart Bread. This extreme baking creation showcases the aromatic homemade pesto and the creamy tanginess of feta cheese, all wrapped in a soft and pillowy bread. With its irresistible taste and beautiful presentation, this bread is sure to impress your family and guests. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and embark on a baking adventure that will result in a bread that’s bursting with flavour and texture. Enjoy this savoury delight as a standalone snack or serve it as a side dish to elevate your meals.
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