Ingredients
- 7 g sachet or 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon caster superfine sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoon sea salt plus extra for dusting
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan plus 3 tablespoon grated parmesan for decorating
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh or dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
Flour paste
- 2 tablespoon plain AP flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large jug, combine the water, sugar and yeast then set them aside for 10 minutes or until the mixture is frothy.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, or another large bowl, sift in the flour. Pour in the yeast mixture then add the salt and oil.
- Use the dough hook to bring the ingredients all together and then continue to mix until it all comes together in a ball in the center. It will take at least 5 minutes.
- Alternatively, mix the ingredients together in a bowl and then tip out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Spray a large bowl with oil and transfer the dough ball into the bowl. Cover it with lightly-oiled plastic wrap and leave it to rise for one hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Give the dough a big punch with your fist to deflate it and then tip it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Knead it until it is smooth then carefully fold in the oregano, parmesan and garlic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it on a lined oven tray. Cover it in oiled plastic wrap and leave it to rise again for 30 minutes or until is has almost doubled again.
- While the dough is rising, pre-heat the oven to 180C (356F) fan-forced.
- Make the paste for the cross by mixing the flour and salt with 2 tablespoons of cold water. You may need to add a bit more to get it to a pipable consistency.
- Spoon it into a zip-lock bag and snip off a corner.
- Pipe a cross onto the top of the bread.
- Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes or until it sounds hollow when you tap it on the bottom.
- To make the cross stand out a bit better, when it comes out of the oven, spread the extra grated parmesan along the cross and put the loaf under the grill for a minute or two.
- Leave it to cool on a wire rack.
Have you made this recipe? I'd love to hear what you think. Tag me on Instagram @clairekcreations
