Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of homemade comfort food with our Delightful Herb & Garlic Flatbread recipe. Imagine the aroma of fresh herbs and garlic filling your kitchen, inviting a sense of warmth and togetherness. This recipe is a celebration of simple ingredients transforming into something magical under your touch. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the joys of homemade bread, this flatbread offers the perfect blend of ease and satisfaction. With its soft, pillowy texture, infused with the flavors of basil, parsley, and garlic, topped with the melty goodness of cheese and the briny pop of olives, it’s a versatile dish that complements any meal or stands proudly on its own. Let’s dive into the art of bread-making, creating not just food, but memories to be savored with every bite.
Dough Ingredients:
- 450 grams of all-purpose flour
- 20 grams of fresh yeast (half a cube)
- 2 tablespoons of flour (additional for yeast mixture)
- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 250 grams of lukewarm water
For the Herb Oil Coating:
- 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
Optional Toppings:
- Grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- A few sliced olives
Instructions:
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a small bowl, crumble the fresh yeast and mix it with 2 tablespoons of flour, sugar, and enough lukewarm water to create a paste. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it starts to froth, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 450 grams of flour with salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and the rest of the lukewarm water. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Herb Oil: While the dough is rising, mix the olive oil with minced garlic, chopped basil, and parsley in a bowl. Set aside to infuse the flavors.
- Shape and Bake: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it into equal portions. Roll out each portion on a floured surface to your desired thickness for flatbreads. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Transfer the flatbreads to a baking sheet.
- Add Toppings: Brush each flatbread generously with the herb and garlic oil. Sprinkle grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top, and add a few olive slices if desired.
- Bake: Place the flatbreads in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Enjoy your homemade herb and garlic flatbreads warm, ideally fresh out of the oven. They make a perfect side dish, appetizer, or a base for custom pizza creations.
This simple yet flavorful recipe brings the aromatic goodness of fresh herbs and garlic to the classic flatbread, with the option of adding cheese and olives for an extra burst of taste. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, these flatbreads are sure to be a hit at any gathering.