Country Loaf Stuffed with Garlic Herb Butter

👨‍🍳 Method

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
2. 2
   Mix the butter, garlic, parsley, dill, chili pepper and salt into a smooth spread.

   Bowl
3. 3
   With a bread knife, cut the loaf in a crosshatch three-quarters of the way down, without reaching the bottom, so the pieces stay attached.

   Serrated knife (bread knife)Cutting board

   💡The attached bottom holds the loaf together in the oven, and at the table everyone pulls off a piece with its butter.
4. 4
   Spread the butter mixture with a teaspoon between and inside the cuts.
5. 5
   Push the yellow cheese into each cut and scatter the rest over the loaf.
6. 6
   Wrap the bread in foil and place on a baking sheet.

   Aluminum foilBaking sheet
7. 7
   Bake 15 minutes, until the butter has melted and the bread is hot.' Open the foil and bake 10 more minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are golden.'

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking sheet

   💡The foil traps the steam: the butter melts and soaks into the slices before the crust dries out, and only at the end, uncovered, does the bread turn golden.

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
8. 8
   Serve immediately, while the bread is still warm.