Cheese, Herb and Garlic Quick Bread

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Use this temperature for both fan and standard ovens.

Step 2: Lightly grease a 21 x 11 x 7 cm (8.3 x 4.5 x 2.75-inch) loaf pan with butter or oil spray, then line it with baking paper.

Step 3: Mix the herb and garlic swirl ingredients in a small bowl until the mixture is thick and dollopable.

Step 4: Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Step 5: Whisk the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Step 6: Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.

Tip: The batter can be lumpy. Stop mixing when the ingredients are just combined.

Step 7: Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Dollop one-third of the herb mixture over it. Use a knife to swirl the mixture into the batter, moving up and down and turning the batter over. Push one-third of the cheese slices randomly into the batter; push some all the way in and leave some poking out.

Step 8: Repeat the layering process twice more. It is fine if some herb mixture remains exposed and some cheese slices stick out of the surface.

Step 9: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden. Remove the pan from the oven and cover it with foil, then bake for a further 20 minutes. Check the centre with a skewer; it should come out clean.

Step 10: Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least another 10 minutes before cutting thick slices. Serve with butter if desired.