Portuguese Pão de Queijo/ Cheese and herb bread

Fun to make and great to eat. Takes some time but well worth it.

Really nice cheesy tasting bread. Fantastic with real butter on.

Ingredients;

400 g / 14 oz of Self raising flour.

1 Mug of milk.

1 Tablespoon of instant yeast. (any yeast will do. Follow manufacturers guidelines)

1 Teaspoon of salt.

1 Teaspoon of sugar.

3 Tablespoons of butter/ margarine.

Several handfuls of your favourite grated cheese (I used ready grated cheddar)

2 Tablespoons of fresh or dried chopped parsley.

2 Tablespoons of fresh or dried chopped chives.

Optional: 3 well crushed garlic cloves.

Method;

1. Prepare yeast as per manufacturers instructions.

2. Mix well the flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl.

3. Warm the milk in a saucepan and add the butter and mix until the butter has dissolved then add the yeast mixture. If it is instant yeast then you may need to add 1/2 a cup of water as well.

4. Pour onto the flour and mix with your hands or a spatula until you have made a dough. If the dough it too sticky/ wet add a little more flour and continue to mix. If it is too dry then add water a spoonful at a time until you get the dough.

5. Empty the dough out on to a floured surface and kneed for several minutes then form a ball with the dough. If the dough feels sticky, roll it around on the flour until it is fully coated then place in a large bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to stand for approximately one to two hours.

6. Empty the dough again onto a floured surface and roll flat to about 1/4"/ 6 mm in an oblong shape. Cover the dough with your grated cheese and then sprinkle evenly the herbs (and garlic) on top. 

7. Roll the dough up like a newspaper thus creating layers of dough/ cheese (should look like a Swiss roll from the side).

8. Pinch in both open sides to prevent leakage and shape into a loaf. (You can pinch the top as I have to create ridges down it. Doesn't improve taste but it looks better).

9.  Place in a loaf tin and bake at 350F/ 180C for 40-50 minutes depending on your oven. If you have an electric oven with a top element you may need to drape a piece of aluminium foil over the top of the loaf tin to prevent it from overcooking the top of your bread. 

Serve with anything you like on bread! This stuff tastes wonderful.