Savoury Cottage Loaf with Cheese & Bacon Recipe

Ingredients for Savoury Cottage Loaf:

• ¾ lb (340 g) strong white flour
• ¾ lb (340 g) wholemeal flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ oz (14 g) fresh yeast or ¼ (7 g) dried yeast
• ¾ pint (400 ml) water
• Pepper
• ¼ lb (112 g) mature cheddar cheese (grated)
• ¼ lb (112 g) streaky bacon (grilled and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon chopped sage

Method for Savoury Cottage Loaf:

1. Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl. Cream the yeast with a little of the water and leave until frothy.
2. Make a well into the flour and add the yeast, remaining water, ¾ of the grated cheese, chopped grilled bacon, chopped sage, salt and pepper and mix to a dough.
3. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Put into a clean bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
5. Turn onto a floured surface, knock back with your hand or fist to remove any air pockets and knead again for a few minutes.
6. Cut off  a quarter of the dough. Shape the larger piece of dough into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet.
7. Shape the small piece of dough into a ball and place on top of the larger ball.
8. Flour the handle of a wooden spoon and push it through the centre of both balls, then pull it out again quickly.
9. Cover and leave to rise again in a warm place for about 30 minutes until it has almost doubled in size.
10. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
11. Bake in the middle of a preheated oven at Gas Mark 7 (220°C/425°F) for 30 minutes until well risen and browned and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
12. Put onto a wire rack to cool.