Mediterranean Black Olive Bread

You can vary the flavor of this bread with your choice of olive - Kalamata, Amfisa, Arbequina, Niscoise … … ….

Step: 1

In a large bowl, mix together flour, yeast, sugar, salt, black olives, olive oil, and water.

Step: 2

Turn out dough onto a floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside, and let rise about 45 minutes, until it doubles in size. Punch down. Knead well again, for about 5 to 10 minutes. Let rise for about 30 minutes, until it doubles in size.

Step: 3

Round the dough on kneading board. Place upside down in a bowl lined with a lint-free, well floured towel. Let rise until double in size.

Step: 4

While the bread is rising for the third time, put a pan of water in the bottom of the oven. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

Step: 5

Gently turn loaf out onto a sheet pan that has been lightly oiled and dusted with cornmeal.

Step: 6

Bake loaf at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake for 30 more minutes, or until done.

Per Serving: 138 calories; protein 3.6g; carbohydrates 22.5g; fat 3.7g; sodium 197.3mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real deal to your bread. Different brands do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal bread , which doesn’t always getting bigger as well as clear bread.

To make this in a dough , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

A dough’s first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great timesaver , as you can start it yesterday , then clear it off the next day.