Cheese & pesto whirls
Prep
40 mins
Cook
40 mins
Servings
12
Difficulty
Medium
These gorgeous cheese and pesto whirls are one of my go to recipes when I want something impressive but honestly pretty straightforward. The beauty of this recipe is that it comes together in just 80 minutes from start to finish, which means you can have warm, homemade bread on the table without spending half your day in the kitchen. I love using fresh pesto here because it's packed with basil, which has wonderful anti inflammatory properties and adds such vibrant flavor. The combination of melty mozzarella, sharp parmesan, and those lovely semi dried tomatoes make every bite feel special, and your kitchen will smell absolutely divine while they're baking.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 450 gstrong white bread flour plus a little for dusting
- 7 gsachet fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tspgolden caster sugar
- 2 tbspolive oil plus a drizzle
- 150 gtub fresh pesto
- 240 gtub semi-dried tomatoes drained and roughly chopped
- 100 ggrated mozzarella(ready-grated is best for this, as it is drier than fresh)
- 50 gparmesan(or vegetarian alternative), grated)
- 1 handfulbasil leaves
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and 1½ tsp fine salt in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a tabletop mixer. Measure out 300ml warm water and add roughly 280ml to the flour, along with the olive oil, and start mixing until the ingredients start to clump together as a dough. If the dough seems a little dry, add the remaining water. Once combined, knead for 10 mins by hand on your work surface, or for 5 mins on a medium speed in a mixer. The dough is ready when it feels soft, springy and elastic. Clean the bowl, drizzle in a little oil, then pop the dough back in, turning it over and coating the sides of the bowl in oil. Cover with some oiled cling film and set aside in a warm place to double in size – this will take 1-3 hrs, depending on the temperature.
- 2
Line a baking tray with parchment. Uncover the dough and punch it down a couple of times with your fist, knocking out all the air bubbles. Tip out onto a floured work surface and dust the top with a little flour too, if it is sticky. Roll the dough out to a rectangle, roughly 40 x 30cm. Spread the pesto over the dough, then scatter over the tomatoes, both cheeses and the basil. Roll the dough up from one of the longer sides, into a long sausage.
- 3
Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 even pieces. Place on the baking tray, cut-side up, in a 3-by-4 formation, making sure the open end of each roll is tucked in towards the centre on the arrangement – this will prevent them from uncoiling during cooking. Leave a little space between each roll as they will grow and touch as they prove. Loosely cover with oiled cling film and leave to prove for 30 mins–1 hr until almost doubled in size again. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
- 4
Uncover the bread when it is puffed up. Bake on the middle shelf in the oven for 35-40 mins until golden brown and the centre looks dry and not doughy. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 10 mins.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Butter bean curry
This butter bean curry is one of my go to weeknight dinners when I want something satisfying but don't have hours to spend cooking. The whole thing comes together in under an hour, and butter beans are incredibly affordable and packed with fiber, keeping you full for ages. I love how versatile it is too, with the warming spices and creamy beans balanced by fresh coriander and a zingy banana and cucumber raita on the side. It's genuinely delicious, feels a bit fancy, but honestly couldn't be simpler.
Air fryer roast beef joint
You know what surprised me most about making roast beef in the air fryer? How incredibly quick and simple it is. This method cuts your cooking time in half compared to a traditional oven, and honestly, the results are just as impressive. The beauty of beef is that it's packed with iron and B vitamins, which are essential for energy and overall health. With just a handful of pantry staples and five minutes of prep, you'll have a stunning, tender roast that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests without the fuss.
Bread in four easy steps
Making your own bread doesn't have to be intimidating. This granary loaf comes together in just four straightforward steps, ready to eat in under an hour. Granary flour is packed with whole grains and fiber, which means you're getting real nutritional value with every slice. What I love most is how simple and budget friendly this recipe is. You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already, and the fast action yeast does all the hard work for you. Trust me, once you taste homemade bread warm from the oven, you'll be making this constantly.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.