Lavender Herb & Cottage Cheese Artisan Bread
Experience the delightful fusion of flavors with this Lavender Herb & Cottage Cheese Artisan Bread. Perfectly crafted for those seeking a unique and nutritious loaf, this recipe combines the creamy texture of cottage cheese with the aromatic essence of lavender, thyme, and basil. The high protein content from the cottage cheese ensures a satisfying bite, while the fragrant herbs elevate the taste to new heights, making it an exquisite accompaniment to any meal or a stand-alone snack. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this bread is sure to impress your guests and family alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
1/4 cup (110°F)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
honey
1/4 cup (none)
fat-free cottage cheese
1 cup (or low-fat)
fresh lavender flowers
1 teaspoon (finely chopped (or dried))
fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
fresh basil leaf
1/2 tablespoon (finely chopped)
eggs
2 (room temperature)
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (none)
bread flour
3 cups (or unbleached all-purpose flour)
additional bread flour
3 tablespoons (or unbleached all-purpose flour)
fast-rising active dry yeast
3 teaspoons (none)
cornmeal
to taste (optional, for dusting pan)
Instructions
1
In a bread machine pan, add the warm water, olive oil, honey, cottage cheese, chopped lavender, thyme, basil, eggs, baking soda, and yeast. Mix until combined.
2
Gradually add the bread flour until all the ingredients are incorporated. Select the dough cycle on your bread machine and start it.
3
Once the dough cycle completes, transfer the dough onto a lightly oiled surface and gently knead it by hand for about a minute.
4
Shape the dough into an oval loaf and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
5
After resting, flip the dough so the bottom side faces up, then press down to flatten it. For shaping, divide the dough into two equal portions for baguettes or leave it whole for a round boule.
6
For baguettes: Fold the top third down toward the center, and then fold the bottom third up to meet it. Seal the seam by pressing with your palm to create a nice shape.
7
For boules: Shape the dough into a round ball, tightening the surface by tugging the edges towards the center.
8
Dust a jelly roll pan with cornmeal and place the shaped loaf(s) onto the pan. Cover and allow to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 30 to 50 minutes.
9
For oven rising, preheat the oven for just a minute, turn it off, and let the dough rise inside until doubled. Alternatively, refrigerate the dough for a slow rise overnight.
10
Once risen, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Gently slash the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to allow for expansion during baking.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow to cool before slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lavender Herb & Cottage Cheese Artisan Bread?
It is a unique and nutritious artisan loaf that combines the creamy texture of cottage cheese with aromatic lavender, thyme, and basil for a fragrant, high-protein bread.
What are the primary herbs used in this recipe?
The recipe features fresh lavender flowers, fresh thyme leaves, and fresh basil.
What kind of cottage cheese should I use?
You can use either fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese for this recipe.
What temperature should the water be for the dough?
The water should be warm, ideally around 110°F.
Can I use dried lavender instead of fresh?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of dried lavender flowers if fresh ones are unavailable.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe suggests using bread flour, though unbleached all-purpose flour is a suitable alternative.
How much yeast is required?
The recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of fast-rising active dry yeast.
Should the eggs be at a specific temperature?
Yes, the 2 eggs used in this recipe should be at room temperature.
Why is baking soda included in a yeast bread recipe?
Baking soda is added to help with the leavening and texture, complementing the yeast and the acidity of the cottage cheese.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine warm water, olive oil, honey, cottage cheese, herbs, eggs, baking soda, and yeast in a bread machine pan.
Do I need a bread machine for this recipe?
This specific recipe uses a bread machine for the mixing and initial dough cycle.
How long should I knead the dough by hand?
After the bread machine cycle finishes, you should gently knead the dough by hand for about one minute on a lightly oiled surface.
How long does the dough need to rest after the initial kneading?
The dough should be shaped into an oval and allowed to rest under plastic wrap for 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
What are the shaping options for this bread?
You can shape the dough into two equal baguettes or one large round boule.
How do I shape the dough into a boule?
To create a boule, shape the dough into a round ball and tighten the surface by tugging the edges toward the center.
How do I shape the dough into baguettes?
Fold the top third of the dough down to the center, then the bottom third up to meet it, and seal the seam with your palm.
What should I use to prevent the bread from sticking to the pan?
The recipe recommends dusting a jelly roll pan with cornmeal before placing the shaped dough on it.
How long is the final rise?
The dough should rise in a warm area for 30 to 50 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
Is there a way to let the dough rise in the oven?
Yes, you can preheat the oven for one minute, turn it off, and place the dough inside to rise.
Can I let the dough rise overnight?
Yes, the recipe mentions that you can refrigerate the dough for a slow rise overnight.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
Should I cut the top of the bread before baking?
Yes, gently slash the top of the loaf with a sharp knife just before baking to allow for expansion.
How long does the bread bake?
The bread should bake for approximately 20 minutes.
How do I know when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
What is the purpose of adding honey?
Honey acts as a sweetener and provides food for the yeast to help the bread rise.
How much lavender is used?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh or dried lavender flowers.
How much thyme and basil should be prepared?
You need 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh thyme and 1/2 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil.
Does this bread have a high protein content?
Yes, the inclusion of 1 cup of cottage cheese and 2 eggs makes this a high-protein bread option.
Can I use olive oil in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil are used to add moisture and flavor to the dough.
When should I slice the bread?
The instructions recommend allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing.