Braided Cheese Bread

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Bread baking is utterly gratifying for me. I love bread. And I like to bake it even more. Bread making usually feels like a daunting task. Buying readymade bread at the bakery seems to be way better. But really, it is quite the opposite. With time, I have learnt that it is a labor of love. Be it kneading the dough or gently leaving it to proof, bread making is a delightful task. Nothing can be cozier than warm home baked bread. I thought of embellishing the usual loaf by braiding it, which of course is optional. This is a braided cheese bread, with a generous sprinkling of Italian herbs.

Ingredients
  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 3/4th Cup Water
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3/4 tsp dried yeast
  • A pinch of sugar
  • 1 tbsp grated cheese
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp Italian herbs
Method
  • Add yeast and a pinch of sugar to lukewarm water. Mix it all with a spoon. Let it aside for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes the mixture should turn frothy and increase in volume. This means that the yeast has activated and would work for our bread. 
  • In a mixing bowl mix the flour, salt, Italian herbs and the cheese. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture.
  • Mix it thoroughly. Add more water if the dough is dry. We want a sticky consistency.
  • On a well floured surface, knead the dough for about 5-6 minutes.
  • Add the olive oil and knead again till a smooth ball is formed.
  • Pull all the corners of the ball towards the base and tuck them in.
  • Oil a container and place the dough in it. Also slightly grease the dough with olive oil.
  • Cover the dough with a muslin cloth and let it stay in a warm place for about 2 hours.
  • The dough should almost double in size after two hours. Punch it and let the air out.
  • Again take the dough on a work surface and knead it for 2-3 minutes. 
  • Divide the dough in 3 parts. Make 3 braids from them.
  • Stick the base of all three of them together and braid the bread.
  • Again cover it and let it proof in a warm place for about half an hour.
  • It should double in size.
  • Apply some milk on the bread with the help of a brush. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes or until the bread turns golden brown on top.
  • Brush  the top with a little butter after it is baked. This will keep it soft.
  • Enjoy!


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