Roasted Garlic and Cilantro Bread

  




Roasted Garlic and Cilantro Bread
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours

Ingredients
for the bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon oil
for the topping
1 medium garlic head
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chili flakes
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
Mix warm water with sugar and yeast. Stir, cover and let it rest for about 5 minutes to activate the yeast.

Once yeast is activated, add flour in the mixing bowl along with salt and oil. Give it a mix and make a well in the center. Pour the activated yeast into the well. Using a rubber spatula, give a mix to form rough dough. Now, if you are using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead at speed 2 for 12 minutes. If you kneading by hand, scrape the dough in a lightly floured countertop or wooden board and knead until it’s smooth and elastic. It should take about 12 minutes.

Once the dough is ready, make a rough round ball and place it on either the same mixing bowl or a separate one that's lightly brushed with oil. Cover it with clear wrap/kitchen towel and keep it in a warm place. Give it a couple of hours to rise and double in size.

In the mean time, preheat the oven to 375F. Trim the top of garlic head, place it on aluminum foil, drizzle some oil on top and wrap it loosely. Allow it to roast in the oven for about 45 minutes.
One done, allow it to cool and squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their skin. Keep aside in a bowl. In a food processor, add the roughly chopped cilantro along with the chili flakes and roasted garlic cloves and blend for about a minute. Next, add olive oil and run the processor again until it forms a smooth spreadable paste. Keep it aside to be rubbed on the bread before baking.

Once the bread dough rises and doubles in size, scrape it carefully to a board. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bread dough on it and roll it to a rectangular or oval shape. Cover it and let it sit for 30 more minutes to get it fluffy.
Preheat oven to 400F.

Once ready, poke your fingers all over the bread and brush the roasted garlic and cilantro mixture on top. Bake for about 25 minutes or until its golden brown on top.

While serving, you can drizzle some more olive oil on top and salt. Serve warm.

Notes
I have tried this bread with whole-wheat flour as well as a mix of whole wheat plus all-purpose flour. The texture remains fluffy. You might have to add a little bit more water in the dough if you use whole-wheat flour.

The bread stays good for days if kept in the refrigerator covered tightly. Just microwave it to get the fluffy soft texture back.

“The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight.” –M.F.K. Fisher



Enjoy!!

Blessings to: playfulcooking