Make Herbed Beer Bread in a Flowerpot?

Answer 1

Beer bread is an inspired holiday food option. It's nice to have a fast recipe that can do double duty as a quick lunch or dinner addition. It can even be fancied up and given as a gift. Whether it's Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving, beer bread is a fun cooking project to make with your kids too.

How to Make Beer Bread

Beer bread is light, flavorful and it can be a quick last minute bread to serve with lunch or dinner. It's a hearty accompaniment to soup, chili or stew. We're making a quick bread (non-yeast) version, although you can find yeasty beer bread recipes around too. We like our beer bread savory and with just enough cheese to enhance the bite. We also add a few herbs for flavor and interest.

It wouldn't be right to offer up a beer bread recipe without suggesting that you make it in a flowerpot. Yes, flowerpot beer bread is a crazy, crafty way to make bread that looks adorable and has a crunchy outside and a moist, soft inside. Better yet, you can make up unique gift packages showcasing this unusual bread -- complete with all the fixings -- for a few of dollars.

Herbed Beer Bread in a Flowerpot

Use a four inch terra cotta pot for this recipe. Don't be too concerned about the hole in the bottom. Just cover it with a circle of parchment paper or a little plug made of aluminum foil. To prep the pot, make sure to coat the inside liberally with a non-stick cooking spray product.

Herbed Beer Bread Recipe Ingredients

1-1/2 cups flour (all-purpose)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

Pinch of dried sage

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup dark beer

Herbed Beer Bread Directions

Prepare the flower pot by plugging the drainage hole with aluminum foil (or a round of parchment paper). Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, and stir to incorporate. Add cheese. Fold in beer and pour mixture into the flower pot. Cook in a preheated 425 degree F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and continue cooking for an additional 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Upend the pot to remove the bread. Quarter vertically and serve with butter or a quality olive oil.

Giving a Beer-Bread Basket as a Gift

If you like beer bread and want to share the bounty: Arrange a four inch terra cotta flowerpot and a bottle of your favorite dark beer in a small wicker basket. Measure the dry ingredients and place them in either a jar or a resealable food-safe bag. Add a small, wrapped wedge of Parmesan cheese. Include the recipe above with the directions. Wrap the basket with cellophane and tie it up with an attractive bow.

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