This herb bread recipe answers the never-ending question of what to do with all those fresh herbs in your refrigerator or garden.
Aside from drying them or making my fresh herbs, garlic, and salt rub, finding a recipe to which you can add all your fresh herbs and enjoy their excellent savory taste one more time can be taxing. Thus, this recipe will come in handy.
I am in that dilemma so often, and you should see my jar of mixed dry herbs. I have and constantly use them to season my sauces, steaks, poultry, and lamb. As you know, they lose some of their flavor as soon as you dry them.
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In this Article
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients needed to make this recipe
- Equipment Needed
- Step by step on how to make this delicious herb bread recipe
- Pro Tips
- What dishes can you enjoy with this herb bread?
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- If you enjoy this herb bread recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
- Herb Bread
This is not your typical bread, as I do not use instant yeast but milk, which makes it soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Why you will love this recipe
No kneading is necessary; your stand mixer will handle all the mixing for you.
There will be little kitchen mess, as you will not need a floured surface to knead your bread or to use your bread machine.
Your pantry will have most ingredients already available to use.
The perfect recipe to use your fresh herbs.
Ingredients needed to make this recipe
This is a short introduction. The ingredient list is also brief. It includes essential items that you may already have in your pantry. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.
All-purpose flour: I used it to create the bread dough. I used regular flour, but do not hesitate to use it if you have bread flour on hand.
Eggs: Ensure that they are at room temperature before using them.
Shallots: They give that amazing onion flavor, yet they are not overpowering when you bite into them, as they tend to become slightly sweeter during the cooking process.
Whole milk: In Europe, we use milk a lot in baking, and this is no exception. Do use whole milk, as it gives it that rich flavor you need and has the necessary fat to keep your bread moist. I repeat: do not substitute.
Baking soda: Your rising agent.
Feta cheese: Softens when baking and does not disintegrate, making it the perfect choice for this bread.
Chives, mint, Italian parsley: those are the fresh herbs I had on hand. This combination was very flavorful, and not one herb overpowered the other. The mint and parsley give off a refreshing flavor, and the chives infuse more of an oniony flavor.
Sea salt and black pepper: your seasoning for this herb bread.
Equipment Needed
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Step by step on how to make this delicious herb bread recipe
With all my recipes, please assemble all the ingredients before starting cooking and baking.
Eggs and milk should be at room temperature.
- Place the flour and baking soda in the bowl of your KitchenAid mixer, and mix well with the dough hook attachment.
- Add the eggs one at a time to your dry ingredients.
- Add the milk to your flour mixture, slowly mixing at medium-low speed.
- Gently mix all the fresh herbs and feta cheese with a spatula. Do not break the feta into small pieces.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter or spray a bread pan with bake-off spray, ensuring that the corners are well covered.
- Drop your herb bread batter into the mold. Tap the mold to settle any internal bubble of air that may have been created.
- Bake in the hot oven for 35 to 40 minutes. The top of the bread loaf should be beautifully golden brown.
- Insert a knife or long toothpick to ensure that it comes out clean. This is how you will know that it is baked fully.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Pro Tips
- Ensure your eggs and the milk are at room temperature
- I highly recommend Bak-Klene, baking spray as it is easy to apply.
- I have also used parchment paper for easy removal from the pan.
What dishes can you enjoy with this herb bread?
This herb bread is fantastic because it can be enjoyed by itself or alongside a hot bowl of tomato soup or roasted bell pepper soup. The hearty flavors of the tomato with the herbs are the perfect combination.
Spread cream cheese over it and a slice of smoked salmon for brunch.
Cut it into large cubes, toast or saute it with butter to create croutons, and enjoy them with our Caesar salad.
Variations and Substitutions
Living in Arizona makes it quite challenging to have a vegetable garden, but my herbs are my precious possessions, and they give me so much love. And, of course, I baby them.
I have also made this recipe with oregano, rosemary, and thyme from my garden instead of chives and parsley, and the flavor was distinct and yummy.
If you choose rosemary, be light on it, as it is a powerful herb once the oils are released.
Cilantro is the perfect substitute for parsley if you want to go a bit Southwest with your cooking. You can also add a half-chopped jalapeno.
Storing and Reheating
Store: Once your bread is completely cooled, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a cool place or your refrigerator.
Reheating: If stored in the refrigerator, bring it back to room temperature before using it.
This bread can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. If you like it warm, toast a slice to your desired crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What herbs are good in bread?
So many wonderful herbs can enhance the flavor of bread. Basil, thyme, oregano, and sage are great choices. Select fresh herbs over dry. When using rosemary or sage, I recommend using them sparingly, as their oils are quite strong and can be overpowering.
When should I add herbs to my bread dough?
It is recommended to add them towards the end of mixing or kneading, as it will help to distribute them better while preventing over-processing. Dry herbs can be added while mixing the flour to give them time to expand with the ingredients. On the other hand, fresh ingredients are recommended towards the end of mixing or kneading.
When to add seasoning to dough?
You can add them either at the beginning or towards the final mixing steps. Salt is often added later, after the initial gluten development or fermentation. Fresh herbs can be added during the final mixing.
If you enjoy this herb bread recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
Easy Mushrooms Salad with Herbs
Lentils Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Onions and Fresh Herbs
Herb Bread
Ingredients
- 1¼ cup flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 shallots, finley chopped
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ teaspoon baking soda
- 8 ounces feta cheese, sliced into cubes or small chunks
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1½ tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon black ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Mix the flour with the baking soda in the bowl of your KitchenAid standalone mixer. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well. Add the milk and continue to mix at medium-low speed.
- Gently fold the chives, mint, parsley, and feta cheese into the flour-egg mixture with a spatula. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter or spray a bread mold with bake-off spray. Drop the herb bread batter into the mold and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. Insert a knife to ensure it is baked fully.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool off on a wire rack.
- It can be enjoyed warm or cold.
Equipment
Notes
- Ensure your eggs and the milk are at room temperature
- I highly recommend Bak-Klene, baking spray as it is easy to apply.
- I have also used parchment paper for easy removal from the pan.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Dinners, Sides
- Type: Affordable Gourmet
Did you make this?
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