Triple Cheese Bread
It was still dark when I heard footsteps approach my bed. My daughter crawled in under the comforter and snuggled close, and as I tried to settle back to sleep, I thought of all those nights when I would think, oh my goodness, will my…
It was still dark when I heard footsteps approach my bed. My daughter crawled in under the comforter and snuggled close, and as I tried to settle back to sleep, I thought of all those nights when I would think, oh my goodness, will my bed ever be mine again? Ever since she was a baby, she liked to be close, the crib eventually claimed by the cats. Even now, she needs a little extra snuggle before she says goodnight. But she is a big girl now, and she’s been sleeping in her big girl bed for years. As I snuggled this child with long limbs, I realized, they were right.
All those friends and even the strangers who approached me when I was a sleepless zombie, those parents who had been through the trenches, they were right. It goes so fast, they told me. I would nod (politely) and agree, and thought I understood.
And now, as I see the woman pass me with her baby boy on her hips, his chubby, little, oh-so-squeezable legs dangling as she rushes to the door, I just want to reach out and feel the little baby toes and tell her, it goes so fast – it really does.
I always say there’s never enough time in the day. Especially when it comes to things that we need to do…cleaning the house, paying the bills, meeting deadlines, the children’s activities. But really, I’m realizing more and more that its about making the time. I’m trying to take the time to enjoy these hugs from my little girl, because before you know it, she won’t be snuggling with me any more. Making the time to listen to my son explain the virtues of Legos and the 344 Star Wars characters. Because one day he’ll think, Mom just doesn’t understand.
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I am making the time to create delicious things that require a little more of me in the kitchen. Bread always seemed counterintuitive to productivity, but the more I work with yeast and dough, I find that it makes me happy. It’s worth the time. Because if I don’t make the time, hours will get sucked up by all the things I would have rather not done. And at the end of the day, I would realize had I not wasted those extra minutes on Pinterest, I could have made that loaf.
In my last post, that grilled cheese sandwich went from ordinary to extraordinary not just from amazing cheese and slivers of salty ham and sweet peppers. It was the Triple Cheese Bread that made it quite amazing. I think back to that day, how I was rushing to recycle the empty bag of flour and how my eyes glanced at those three words printed on the side. Triple. Cheese. Bread. I knew I had to make time for that recipe, and I hope you do, too.
Triple Cheese Bread
The moment I saw this recipe on the side of the bag of King Arthur Flour, I knew I had to make it. Fresh out of the oven, I just know you will swoon over this bread, marbled with gooey cheese. But I like to take it one step further and use it in the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich. I am so grateful to the folks at King Arthur for allowing me to share this recipe with you.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons yeast
3 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter, soft
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cottage cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water. Add the remaining ingredients and mix and knead by hand, by using an electric mixer or in a bread machine on the dough cycle to make a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured board and knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Deflate the dough, form it into a 9 inch log, and place in a greased 9"x5" loaf pan. Cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and let rise until the bread domes an inch above the rim of the loaf pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the risen dough for 30-35 minutes.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before releasing the bread from the pan to cool before slicing.
Recipe reprinted with permission from King Arthur Flour
Comments
COOKBOOK
I could have a few slices of this right now. Too bad I am visiting LA and not SF.
It does indeed go way too fast! This loaf looks extraordinary…would love a fresh piece toasted for breakfast :)
Hubs wonders why I have cravings to make bread at home but it’s so satisfying. I love cheesy breads–this one’s a great go-to recipe!
Yay! The bread recipe I’ve been awaiting! I’m a sucker for cheesy bread!
I love the sound of this bread Liren. Every time I bake bread my fiance cuts himself a few slices and eats it with cheese, so the combination of a cheese bread will definitely be a winner in his books. Definitely one for me to try. And you’re right, bread is definitely worth the time. Homemade bread always tastes so much better than store bought.
Gorgeous photos too!
Oh Liren, Our household is so busy now with 3 kids (ages 5, 2, and 3 months) that I often wonder if I will ever get my life back (if I will have peace and quiet ever again; if I will ever sleep 8 hours straight again; if I can go back to travelling; if I will ever cook in peace…)? It’s nice to hear that there is an “end” to this insanity, but I know when that time comes, I will be missing THIS craziness.
Good looking bread, by the way!
Something timely for me to read, so thank you! Trying not to let the stress of all the little things get in the way of enjoying the precious everyday moments which are indeed fleeting. There’s always time to tell one more story and bake one more loaf of bread together (especially triple cheese) if you set your mind to it.
Beautiful bread and photos, I love cheese bread and then make it into grilled cheese yum, hate to count the calories ouch :) but I know it’s worth it!
OMG!!! This bread looks gorgeous!! I could eat the whole loaf by myself :) Congratulations on winning the Donna Hay challenge!
Gorgeous loaf, perfect for grilled cheese or a panino!
First off, you are my hero for using triple cheese bread to make that decadent grilled cheese sandwich! Also, thank you for that insight as my little boy is about to enter this big, beautiful world. In between that sleepless zombie stage, I”ll remember to cuddle him close and cherish every last second.
Have a great time @ Pebble Beach! xo
This is simply gorgeous, Liren! I’m a fan of quick breads because I always seem to have the ingredients on hand. You are right, too, this would be perfect for grilled cheese!
I’ve been watching my niece as she grows… from infant to toddler to an actual kid. It’s pretty remarkable to witness.
You are quite right… this bread is fabulous and would elevate any sandwich.