Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks With Tomato Dip

This is a paid collaboration with Bute Island Foods.

I feel like garlic bread is pretty much a favourite in most households. I've never met anyone who doesn't like it! There aren't many garlic bread options available for vegans in supermarkets and most of the time, the only vegan options are in the form of a baguette, which don't get me wrong is delicious! but I personally prefer a softer base. Which is why I thought I would make my very own garlic bread from scratch with a ciabatta sort of texture base - softer on the inside but crisp on the outside.

I have partnered with Bute Island Foods on this post, using their incredible vegan cheese to make this garlic bread just a bit more interesting! If you're looking for a new vegan cheese brand, I would highly suggest checking out their amazing range, there are so many options to choose from! From spreadable "sheese" to "sheese" shreds, blocks and wedges. There's plenty of option and each of them are absolutely delicious. I opted for their grated mozzarella shreds and grated mature cheddar shreds for this post!

Check out my previous cheesy posts with Bute Island Foods!

- Mexican Stuffed Peppers
- Simple Vegan Mac & Cheese

- CHEESY GARLIC BREAD WITH TOMATO DIP - 

Makes: 20 sticks  Prep Time: 1 hour   Cook Time: 30 mins

You will need:

- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1 1/2 tsp active dried yeast
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 4 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 tsp garlic
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings

- 1/2 cup vegan mozarella
- 1/2 cup vegan mature cheddar shreds

For the sauce:

- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cherry tomatoes / 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 3/4 cup tomato passata
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, garlic granules and active yeast. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together. Gradually add in the water while continuously stirring. The mixture should then become sticky enough to form a dough.

2. Use your hands to knead the dough for around one minute, before forming the dough into a ball.

3. Remove the dough from the bowl and pour in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Place the dough back into the bowl and move it around to roughly coat it (and the bowl) in the oil. Cover the bowl either with cling film or a damp towel for at least 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

4. Once the dough has risen, pre heat the oven to 200C.

5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

6. In a small bowl, add the vegan butter, garlic and Italian seasonings. Mix it around slightly and place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds until the butter has melted.

7. Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out so that it fits the baking tray perfectly. Place on the baking tray and push the edges into the corner, making sure all of the edges are equally as flat.

8. Brush the garlic butter onto the dough. You might think that there is too much and will make the dough soggy, but trust me, the amount is perfect.

9. Place the baking tray in the oven for 20 minutes so that the bread can absorb the garlic butter and crisp slightly.

10. Once the bread is golden, remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle on the vegan mozzarella and mature cheddar shreds. Place the baking tray back in the oven for a further 10 minutes so that the cheese melts perfectly. Once the cheese has melted, remove the tray from the oven and allow the garlic bread to cool for 5 minutes before cutting the bread into 20 skinny strips.

11. Now time to start on the tomato dip! Chop up the tomato(es) into small chunks. Pour the olive oil into a saucepan and keep on a low - medium heat. Add in the tomatoes along with the chilli flakes. Allow the tomatoes to cook for around 3-4 minutes before pouring in the passata and adding the Italian seasonings and garlic granules. Allow the sauce to cook for around 5 more minutes until completely warmed through.

12. Once the sauce is hot, pour it out in a small dipping bowl (like the one pictured) and serve alongside the garlic bread sticks.

This makes for a great social snack, whether you have family or friends round in the summer and fancy making something for everyone to share. Though since we are on lockdown, it's probably wise to just share it with the members in your household for the time being!

Check out Bute Islands vegan cheese range here!

Have you tried vegan cheese?

Love Always,

Shannon x