We were getting pretty low on bread and the weather is still too cold to really be pleasant outside, so I figured it'd be a good day to do some baking. Flipping through the cookbook, I found this potato bread recipe. Not only did it sound like a lovely, herby loaf, but it would also perfectly use up that last half cup of cottage cheese that's been sitting in the fridge for weeks now. And, I just happen to have fresh dill on hand at the moment. Perfect!

This is an absolutely wonderful bread. Very tender and moist with a mild, herby flavour. Even after being cut for a couple days, it's still just as soft and fresh as the first day. Very impressive!

Herbed Dinner Loaf

From the Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book

Ingredients

• 2 tsp. active dry yeast
• 1/2 c. warm potato cooking water
• 2/3 c. mashed potatoes
• 1/2 c. cottage cheese
• 1/2 c. hot potato cooking water
• 1 Tbsp. oil
• 1/2 Tbsp. coarse sea salt
• 1 tsp. minced fresh dill
• 2 tsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tsp. minced celery leaves
• 1/8 tsp. dried thyme
• 450g hard (strong/bread/high grade) whole wheat flour

Directions

1. Sprinkle yeast into warm water and set aside for ~10 minutes.
2. Combine mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, hot water, oil, salt, dill, parsley, celery leaves, and thyme and mix well.
3. Measure out flour into large bowl and make a well in the centre.
4. Pour potato mixture into well.
5. Add yeast mixture.
6. Mix, working from the centre outward.
7. Once most of the flour in incorporated, turn out onto the counter and begin kneading.
8. Knead for 10-20 minutes adjusting with more flour or water as necessary. Dough should be quite soft.
9. Set in a covered bowl to rise for ~1 hour.
10. Knock back and set to rise for another 30-45 minutes.
11. Knock back again and shape as desired. I made a pan loaf, but it could also be baked as a "cottage loaf" in a casserole dish or pie plate. Allow ~30 minutes for proofing.
12. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40-45 minutes.
13. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out to finish cooling on wire rack.