Pull apart bread

Perfectly delicious pull apart bread, it starts with herb infused dough and is baked until golden brown and served pull-apart style. This flaky and flavorful bread is completely irresistible. Wait untill you smell it baking! This recipe is perfect for using as little slider buns or as a side with salad and meat from the BBQ. Credit to Arwen for sharing this recipe with me, however we have both agreed to try not to make this all the time!

INGREDIENTS

BREAD

• 300mls warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp of yeast
• 3 tbsp of oil or butter
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1tbsp mixed herbs- I use thyme & Rosemary and basil
• 3 cups of flour

TOPPING

• 60g of butter
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup of pesto
• 1/2 cup of cheese - I use a mix of Parmesan and Tasty

METHOD:

Combine yeast sugar and water and let yeast activate for about 10 mins.

Add in flour, oil, salt and herbs and mix on medium speed for around 8 mins, or knead on a floured surface for around 15 mins.

Leave in a warm place to double in size. This dough is really quick rising and doubles in around 20 mins.

Once risen, remove dough from bowl and start getting creative. You can make a few small loaves, or one big one! Pull apart 50cent size pieces of dough, roll into a ball and assemble into desired shape. 

For the topping, combine garlic and butter. Brush the top of the bread with the butter mixture. Brush the bread with pesto and sprinkle with grated cheese. 

Leave to proof for around 5-10 mins and bake on 180 degrees celcius until golden.

Tips

• Use your imagination for toppings, some ideas:
• Finely chopped bacon and cheese
• Change up the flavour of the pesto- sundried tomato, roasted capsicum or basil are great. The supermarket sells chunky pesto dips that also work really well.
• You can make some different types of loaves- either one big loaf, small buns or divide the dough up into 12 balls and roll each ball out into a small disc, put the topping on each disc and fold in half before stacking into a loaf tin to bake. The filling will be spread throughout the pull apart bread.

Enjoy xxx

Garlic Butter Flatbreads

Flatbreads are super easy to make and they are versatile too! Turn them into garlic naan, middle eastern wraps, use them to make mini pizzas or cut them into little triangles and toast to make pita chips perfect for platters! I got this recipe during lockdown from my lovely friend Jess and it is a cracker! 

Makes 4-6 flatbreads. Prep time 10 minutes (+ at least 15 minutes to rest dough) Cook time: 20 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

FLATBREADS

• 2 cups self-raising flour (or plain/high grade flour with 2 1/2 tsp baking powder added)

• 3/4 cup milk (of any kind), or plain yoghurt or water
• 1 1/2 Tblsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

GARLIC & HERB BUTTER

• 2 Tblsp softened butter

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 2 tsp finely chopped parsley

METHOD:

Place the flour, milk, oil and salt in a bowl and mix to combine. 

Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide into four or six portions, and leave on the bench to rest for at least 15-30 minutes (this helps relax the gluten).

If using garlic and herb butter, mix all the ingredients together. 

Heat a large, heavy bottomed skillet or fry pan on medium heat. Roll each piece of dough out into a roughly 25cm circle and lightly brush with a little oil. Place in a hot pan and cook for about 2 minutes each side or until puffed and golden. Spread with garlic and herb butter whilst still hot. Repeat with remaining dough. Serve hot.

Tips

• The dough needs at least 15mins to rest (to relax the gluten) but you can leave it for several hours on the bench, or even over night (if leaving overnight, just make sure you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to avoid a skin forming on the outside.
• Gluten-free flour can be used to make flatbreads, but use yoghurt to add protein to help with keeping the bread together.
• Whilst the flatbreads are best eaten freshly cooked, you can reheat them in the oven, wrapped up in tinfoil to stop them drying out.
• If you don't have a pastry brush (for brushing flatbreads with oil), just drizzle each flatbread with a little oil before placing in the hot pan.

Enjoy xx