Griški Kres - Slovenian Cheese and Herb Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 200g (7 oz) Trnič cheese, grated 200g (7 oz) Trnič cheese, grated
• 200g (7 oz) Tolminc cheese, grated 200g (7 oz) Tolminc cheese, grated
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• Olive oil, for greasing Olive oil, for greasing

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 1g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley to the bowl and mix well.
3. 3.
   Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon.
4. 4.
   Once the dough starts to come together, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   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.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
8. 8.
   Roll each portion into a rectangle and sprinkle half of the grated Trnič and Tolminc cheese over the surface.
9. 9.
   Starting from one end, tightly roll the dough into a log shape and pinch the edges to seal.
10. 10.
    Place the rolled dough onto the prepared baking sheet and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Trnič cheese — Trnič cheese is a traditional Slovenian cheese with a unique shape. If you can't find Trnič, you can substitute it with a combination of aged Gouda and Parmesan cheese for a similar flavor and texture.
• Tolminc cheese — Tolminc cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a nutty flavor. If unavailable, you can replace it with Swiss cheese or another mild, semi-hard cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, brush the top of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle some additional chopped herbs before baking.
• Serve Griški Kres warm with a side of Slovenian honey or herb-infused olive oil for dipping.
• If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, you can increase the amount of grated cheese in the dough.

Serving advice

Griški Kres is best enjoyed warm, either as an appetizer or as a side dish to accompany soups, stews, or salads. Slice the bread into thick pieces and serve it alongside your favorite Slovenian dishes for a truly authentic experience.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle a few fresh herb leaves on top of the bread just before serving. The vibrant green colors will add a touch of freshness and make the dish even more visually appealing.