The name of this bread is misleading because it isn't the bread I'd imagine if you told me you were going to make garlic bread with cheese. It's not an open-faced baguette smeared with garlic spread and baked with cheese stuff. It isn't like that. It is much, much better. I made it once years ago before the kids were born and when the Mister made it this time, it was even yummier than I remembered. We served it with my Grandma's Beef Soup yesterday and just couldn't get enough.
Garlic Bread with Cheese
1/4 cup tepid water (100 degrees)
1 1/4 oz. pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
2-3 tblsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 to 2-1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten and 1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tblsp milk
1 tbslp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp oregano
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour the tepid water into a small bowl, add yeast and 1 tsp sugar. After 2 minutes, mix well. Set in a warm place for 10 minutes until the mixture doubles in size. Meanwhile, melt butter over moderate heat. Add garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.
2. Combine 2 cups flour, baking soda, and salt and sift them into a mixing bowl. Make well in center and add wet ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough becomes smooth and can be gathered into a medium-soft ball. Place ball on a lightly floured surface and knead, sprinkling over flour by the tablespoon (about 1/2 cup) until a firm dough forms.
3. Knead for 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, shiny, and elastic. Set the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat the surface. Cover bowl and set in a warm, draft-free place for about 45 minutes.
4. Put dough evenly into a loaf pan and brush the top with the egg and milk mixture and bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown. Place bread on a wire rack and top with melted butter. Let cool.
On a totally different note…
I just realized that tomorrow is my Two-Year-Blog-Anniversary. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed and how some of you have been with me since those first posts. Thanks for visiting me here and if I could, I would to sit down with you and enjoy a tasty bowl of soup and a slice of homemade bread. I think I've said this before but I'll say it again, it means a lot to me that you're here.
xox~Julie
