Portuguese Cheese and Linguiça Bread


Ingredients
1 rustic round bread (e.g., sourdough or boule loaf)1 chouriço sausage (approximately 7 oz)2 linguiças7 oz (200 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese5 oz (150 grams) shredded cheese blend (for melting/gratinating)1 1/4 cups (10.5 oz or 300 grams) mayonnaise (or any good-quality mayo)Fresh basil leaves1 tablespoon dried oregano1 tablespoon dried thyme2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), convection mode if available.
  2. Cut off the top of the bread to create a lid and hollow out the inside carefully.
  3. Remove the casing from the chouriço and linguiças, chop them into pieces, and finely mince them in a food processor.
  4. In a bowl, mix the minced sausage mixture with the mozzarella, cheese blend, mayonnaise, oregano, thyme, and chives.
  5. Place the hollowed-out bread on a sheet of aluminum foil and fill it with the prepared mixture.
  6. Cover it with the bread lid and wrap the entire loaf tightly in the foil.
  7. Place the wrapped bread on a baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes.
  8. While it bakes, cut the bread you removed from the loaf into chunks.
  9. After 20 minutes, open the foil, remove the bread lid, and place the lid and bread chunks on the tray.
  10. Return to the oven under the broiler for another 5 minutes to toast.
  11. Serve the bread hot, using the toasted chunks for dipping into the cheesy, flavorful filling.
  12. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Recipe & Photo Credit: Calve.pt

Preparation time 15 min
Cooking Time 25 min
Ready In 40 min
Level of DifficultyEasy
Servings8