Australia Day Cheese & Onion ‘VB’ Bread

Just in time for Australia Day! This is super quick and easy (no need to kneed, you can use whatever cheese you have, the ingredients are flexible) and sure to be appreciated with any Australia Day feast you’re cooking or attending.

Ingredients

• 2⅔ cups self-raising flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 x 330mL bottle or can of VB (or any beer with a low alcohol content or gluten free beer if you prefer)
• ¾ cup chopped shallots (use both the white and green parts. Can substitute with red onion or chives if you prefer or already have these on hand)
• ¾ cup grated cheese
  

Options extras

This recipe is forgiving to allow up to half a cup of additional ingredients to flavour it. Some ideas are

• cooked, diced bacon, ham, semi/sun-dried tomatoes, roast capsicum, roasted nuts, pumpkin / sunflower / sesame seeds, mixed herbs, etc.

Method

• Pre-heat oven to 190°C.
• Grease a 600g loaf tin (or similar)
• Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, then add beer and stir until combined.
• Add the shallots and cheese, (and any other ingredients up to ½ cup) and stir to combine.
• Pour the batter in your loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is nice and brown and crispy.
• Cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes. If you’re baking this close to guests arriving, or just before you leave to take to another party, wrap the load in a tea towel to keep it warm and fragrant.
• When ready to serve, slice with a sharp bread knife.