Bolo do Caco - Portuguese Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Olive oil, for brushing Olive oil, for brushing

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into small portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it slightly.
7. 7.
   In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic and chopped parsley.
8. 8.
   Brush each flattened dough portion with olive oil and sprinkle the garlic and parsley mixture on top.
9. 9.
   Place the dough portions on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and brush with additional olive oil if desired. Serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Garlic — Make sure to mince the garlic finely to evenly distribute its flavor throughout the bread.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense garlic flavor, you can roast the garlic cloves before mincing them.
• Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme to add your own twist to the Bolo do Caco.
• Serve the bread with a side of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Serving advice

Serve the Bolo do Caco warm as an appetizer or alongside your favorite Portuguese dishes. It pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, or can be enjoyed on its own.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Bolo do Caco on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley leaves. The golden brown crust and aromatic garlic topping will make it an enticing centerpiece for any table.