Description

This Cheese, Garlic, and Herb Quick Bread is a flavorful no-yeast bread perfect for those who want a savory loaf without the wait. Loaded with fresh herbs, garlic, and melty cheese, this quick bread offers a delightful swirl of flavors baked to a golden perfection. Its moist texture and aromatic herbs make it a great accompaniment for any meal or a tasty snack on its own.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Herb Mixture

7 oz / 200g block of cheese
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 garlic cloves, crushed using garlic press or finely 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), sub 3 1/2 tsp baking powder if preferred
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 best, low fat okay)
2 large eggs (~50-55g/2oz each)
3 1/2 tbsp (50g) unsalted butter, melted

Garlic Oil for Swirl

2 tbsp olive oil
2 small 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″) loaf pan with butter or oil spray. Line the pan with baking paper (parchment paper) to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
Make Herb and Garlic Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, parsley, oregano, thyme, crushed garlic, olive oil, and salt. Mix until you achieve a thick, dollop-able mixture perfect for swirling.
Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking soda, and cooking salt until evenly combined.
Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, milk, eggs, and melted unsalted butter until smooth and well blended.
Combine Batters: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
Create First Layer with Swirl and Cheese: Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Dollop one-third of the herb and garlic swirl mixture across the top. Use a knife to gently swirl it up and down and fold some into the batter. Add one-third of the cheese slices randomly, pushing some fully in and allowing others to peek out.
Repeat Layers Two and Three: Repeat the swirling and cheese layering process two more times with the remaining batter, herb mixture, and cheese. Don’t worry if the herb mixture and cheese stick out on the surface; this creates an appealing baked appearance.
Bake the Quick Bread: Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden. Then cover the bread loosely with foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes (total baking time 50 minutes). Test doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the loaf tin for 5 minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 10 more minutes before slicing thickly. Serve with butter if desired.

Notes

Use full-fat milk and yogurt for the best moist texture and flavor, though low-fat options are acceptable.
Adjust salt quantities if using table salt instead of kosher salt as noted.
Greasing and lining the loaf tin ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
Swirling the herb mixture into the batter evenly distributes flavor and creates a beautiful marbled look.
Check the bread’s doneness with a skewer to avoid undercooked or gummy centers.
Butter is optional when serving but enhances the flavor and richness of the bread.