Prigorska Pogača with a Twist

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
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 100g (1 cup) grated sharp cheddar cheese 100g (1 cup) grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 100g (1 cup) grated mozzarella cheese 100g (1 cup) grated mozzarella cheese
• 50g (½ cup) crumbled feta cheese 50g (½ cup) crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 50g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted 50g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• Extra flour for dusting Extra flour for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 12g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 40g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. 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.
   Add the eggs, grated cheddar cheese, grated mozzarella cheese, crumbled feta cheese, chopped rosemary, and chopped thyme to the bowl. Mix well until a sticky dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 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 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Shape it into a round or oval loaf.
8. 8.
   Brush the melted butter over the top of the dough, allowing it to drip down the sides.
9. 9.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheddar cheese — Use sharp cheddar for a stronger flavor, or you can substitute it with another type of hard cheese like Gouda or Emmental.
• Feta cheese — Opt for a good quality feta cheese for the best taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use goat cheese instead.
• Fresh herbs — If you don't have fresh rosemary or thyme, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced cheese flavor, you can add an extra sprinkle of grated cheese on top of the dough before baking.
• Serve the pogača warm with a side of garlic butter or a creamy dip for a delicious appetizer.
• Leftover pogača can be sliced and toasted for a tasty breakfast or snack the next day.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the bread according to your preference.
• If you prefer a softer crust, you can brush the top of the pogača with milk instead of melted butter before baking.

Serving advice

Serve the Prigorska pogača warm, either as an appetizer or as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad. It is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when the cheese is still slightly melted.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some extra chopped fresh herbs on top of the pogača before serving. You can also cut it into wedges or slices for a more elegant presentation.