Savory Cheese and Chive Bread~

by Liz Berg on March 4, 2011

Savory Cheese and Chive Bread…French Fridays with Dorie
Since my family tends to think of brioche as exotic, I wasn’t sure how this week’s savory quick bread would fly.  I took Dorie’s Bonne Idée and used half minced chives and half basil, plus grated Gruyère and teeny cubes of sharp cheddar.  I figured I’d tailor make it to my preferences versus the family’s…as they’d choose no herbs and no nuts!  Well, the batter was amazingly tasty (I hope I’m immune to salmonella as I just couldn’t keep my finger out of this eggy dough); and I made 3 small loaves, so I could have a couple extra loaves for  the freezer.  
As suspected, the crew just ignored this bread, but I found it wonderful…cheesy and fresh tasting with the jolt of  herbs….a perfect accompaniment to soups or salads. So rustic and fragrant, but I guess my spare loaves need to be reserved for my friends with more mature palates (not the Oreo crowd I call family).  This recipe can be found in Dorie Greenspan’s Around My French Table or in this Washington Post article.

{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }

Meredith! March 4, 2011 at 5:27 am

oh YUM! i am going to try this soon!!

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Le Petit Lapin March 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Haha, I love that you call your family the Oreo Crowd!!

Your loaf looks delicious!

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yummychunklet March 4, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Even though you’re family didn’t like the bread, I’m glad you did! Your bread looks so light and fluffy!

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Trix March 4, 2011 at 1:49 pm

I like that you made smaller loaves, and so they rose higher. Very cute! I think I need to get some of those little pans – my bread was not exactly fluffy!

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briarrose March 4, 2011 at 1:54 pm

What great flavors in this bread….it’s lovely!

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mymorningchocolate.com March 4, 2011 at 2:28 pm

I think I cut my chunks of cheese too small. Yours look like they’re just the right size. You can always give away those extra loaves as gifts!

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Cheap Ethnic Eatz March 4, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Oh I think it looks fantastic, I love cheese breads, they are so yummy. Glad it was enjoyed.

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Kathy March 4, 2011 at 2:43 pm

I really enjoyed this bread, too. My husband did not care for the savory taste…He would have preferred Oreos! Glad you liked it!

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Susi March 4, 2011 at 2:44 pm

I actually made this bread a few months back when I first received my book and my whole family really loved it. In fact, your post just reminded me that it’s been a while and need to bake this again :o )

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Ms. Hobby March 4, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Great photos! Your family doesn’t know what they’re missing out on!

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Cher March 4, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Too cute! Hey – we can’t please everyone all the time, but it’s nice to please ourselves once in a while :-) It all looks lovely – and the mini size is a great idea.

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Candy Girl March 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm

‘The Oreo crowd’ – love it!

Your bread looks delicious!

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Tammy March 4, 2011 at 6:03 pm

This bread sounds wonderful! I would love try this soon.

Have a beautiful weekend!

xx,
Tammy

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Creating Amazing Meals March 4, 2011 at 7:12 pm

Looks great, as always, Lizzy! I didn’t add nuts, but think I will next time. I’m glad you made it for yourself – we all need to remember to do that sometimes! Have a lovely weekend.

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Candy March 4, 2011 at 8:27 pm

How fun!

I actually took some of mine to work to share (so that I would not eat it all!). They didn’t really like it – simply because it was a savory bread rather than sweet. I like your idea of the smaller loaves and then freezing some – excellent!

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Mary March 4, 2011 at 8:32 pm

This is a lovely bread. I love loaves that burst with cheese and herbs, Yours sounds wonderful. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

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Kris' Kitchen March 4, 2011 at 8:48 pm

I was wondering how the basil would turn out. I’ll have to try that next. I just love getting ideas from my FFwD friends!

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Linda March 4, 2011 at 9:38 pm

Good for you Lizzy….we all do too much to cater to the masses…it is nice to bake what WE like every now and then!
Looks great…another one I have marked to try…unfortunately it could not be today.
Have a great weekend!
L~xo

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Cakelaw March 4, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Wow, the crew doesn’t know what they are missing – this bread was fantastic. Your pictures are fab too.

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Sara March 4, 2011 at 10:30 pm

Looks gorgeous! Love the idea of adding basil. :)

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bakingisapieceofcake March 4, 2011 at 10:42 pm

Love the photos, as always, Lizzy! Basil must have smelled heavenly while baking.

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Elaine March 4, 2011 at 11:58 pm

Lizzy, you baby loaf looks so cute! I bet it was delicious with the basil. Your pictures are lovely as always.

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Sis. Boom. March 5, 2011 at 12:59 am

Did you toast it for them? They might like it that way as for me it made quite a difference! (I shoulda used basil…good idea….)

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Lizzy March 5, 2011 at 1:10 am

I think they saw the green specks, and their stubborn preconceived notions would not be swayed~ but I bet it’s wonderful toasted with a pat of cold butter!

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Ang March 5, 2011 at 3:20 am

Lizzy, holy smokes! How can this look any more delicious. And gorgeous too!

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aplatefulofhappiness March 5, 2011 at 3:40 am

Looks delicious. Just think, you get the whole loaf for yourself when the family ignores it. Lucky cook.

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lola March 5, 2011 at 2:30 pm

The Oreo crowd made me smile:) I also thought the uncooked dough was delicious!

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Elisabeth March 5, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Lizzy-Your bread turned out so beautiful and oh, so yummy. I had Lora’s version of the muffin, and I must say, it was delicious…especially reheated, since she saved me a couple muffins. I’m not trying to quote C.Sheen, but-WINNER!!!

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Diethood.com March 5, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Liz, I love this bread! I think it’s the cheese thing that always gets me… I love cheese in baked goods! :)

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Kristen March 5, 2011 at 8:38 pm

The Oreo crowd would be the perfect way of describing my family, too…including my husband.

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thecountrycook March 5, 2011 at 8:42 pm

Lizzy – I know exactly what you mean. I have an Oreo family too. Their palate’s are pretty basic..lol. This really does look so, so appetizing. What a treat – they don’t know what they are missing!
Brandie

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tricia s. March 5, 2011 at 9:24 pm

All the more for you :) My kids now know when I say….”oh no, I don’t think you will like this at ALL” they jump for it. Even if doubtful. And of course I never mind eating it all myself, unfortunately for my diet. Nana and I were delighted at how easy this week’s recipe was. Leaving us more strenght for next week…

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Dimah March 5, 2011 at 9:47 pm

This looks so delicious!

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Tiffany March 6, 2011 at 3:02 am

I love the gruyere-cheddar combo (and the shredded-cubed combo!)

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Monet March 6, 2011 at 5:46 am

Smile. I know my “mature” palate would have been in heaven. This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing your creativity with me! I hope you have a blessed Sunday

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something_good March 6, 2011 at 8:27 am

this bread is a meal itself!

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sanyaliving.com March 6, 2011 at 11:08 am

Love your independence!
Your bread looks fantastic!

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♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ March 6, 2011 at 5:42 pm

Ha ha , sorry ur crew and oreo crowd didn enjoy it :-(
We loved it here , totally cheesy and delightfull.
I love the addition of basil and chives , i did the same :-) ))
I lovee the idea of mini’s and i did that too :-) )))
Ok we are so on the same page now :-) and i love it.

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Sandra March 6, 2011 at 7:13 pm

Wonderful flavors..love this kind of loaf!

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Brindusa March 6, 2011 at 7:33 pm

But Lizzy, this is not just bread, it can be my breakfast or lunch.Or midnight snack :D It looks great. Have a nice week.

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Kate March 7, 2011 at 1:56 am

I wish I could get in my car and drive north… That’s my kind of bread!!!

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Kitchenarian March 7, 2011 at 2:07 am

Beautiful bread! I loved making this recipe and can’t wait to make it again with some different ingredients.

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Kim Kelly March 7, 2011 at 2:45 am

Oh, Lizzy!! Wow!! I could eat the entire loaf!! I’ve become quite the fan of savory breads and this one certainly fits the bill.
Thanks for your comments for our guest post on Dennis’ blog, you made our day! Liv read each and every comment herself and got a kick out of people commenting to her. I appreciate it!

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Brenda March 7, 2011 at 3:04 am

Lizzy, I’ve been drooling over this bread and have got to get that cookbook! I have Dorie’s Baking: From My Home To Yours and absolutely love it. I had to laugh at the “Oreo crowd.” Ummm…that would be my son, lol. Thank you so much for visiting my blog today and becoming my newest follower. Following you back!

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5 Star Foodie March 7, 2011 at 4:50 am

It sounds like a wonderful savory bread, I would sure love a slice!

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Lizzy March 7, 2011 at 11:54 am

Thanks so much, everyone!!!

Thanks for becoming a follower, Brenda!

Kate, there’s a loaf in my freezer with your name on it…if I get my act together, you may find it in your mailbox one of these days :)

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Angellove's Cooking March 8, 2011 at 6:56 am

Lizzy, you are a star!! Your bread looks amazingly delicious – so rich and flavorful!! I will definitely try it :) ) and thanks for giving a hint for the recipe, as I haven’t got Dorie’s cookbook yet “blush”…

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Lizzy March 8, 2011 at 12:06 pm

Mina, you definitely need this book :)

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doggybloggy March 8, 2011 at 8:16 pm

I dont get along with walnuts but that doesnt stop me from loving this bread…

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Our Banana Moments March 8, 2011 at 9:11 pm

Just stopping by from Bloggy Mom’s to say hello! I love the name of your blog and you have so many recipes that I am looking forward to trying. I look forward to following your blog.

http://www.ourbananamoments.com
http://www.facebook.com/ourbananamoments

Marsha

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Kelly March 17, 2011 at 2:58 pm

I just printed the recipe off. Definitely trying it. Yum!!!!!!

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