Description
Mediterranean-inspired olive and cheese bread delivers rich, tangy flavors from Greece’s culinary landscape. Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a perfect accompaniment for salads, soups, or enjoying warm with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300 g (10.5 oz) mozzarella cheese, roughly grated
- 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 0.5 cup (40 g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 4–5 sprigs thyme, leaves only (woody stalks discarded), plus extra
- 2–3 tbsps baby capers (in brine, drained)
- Salt and pepper
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus extra
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Blend flour, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, gradually introducing lukewarm water and olive oil until a unified mixture forms.
- Kneading Process: Switch to dough hook and knead for 7-10 minutes, developing a smooth, elastic texture with robust gluten structure.
- First Proofing: Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately 45 minutes.
- Dough Shaping: Dust work surface with flour, roll dough into a rectangular shape, then evenly distribute mozzarella, Parmesan, Kalamata olives, capers, and thyme leaves across the surface.
- Rolling and Cutting: Drizzle olive oil over toppings, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, and slice into uniform rounds about 2.5 centimeters thick.
- Second Proofing: Arrange rounds cut-side up in a parchment-lined baking dish, leaving slight spaces between them, and rest under a kitchen towel for 15-20 minutes.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 200°C, bake rounds for 30-35 minutes until golden-brown and aromatic.
- Finishing Touches: Cool for 10-15 minutes, then garnish with additional olive oil, fresh thyme, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper before serving warm.
Notes
- Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure lukewarm water (around 110°F) to help yeast bloom without killing it, creating a soft, airy bread texture.
- Knead with Precision: Develop gluten structure through consistent kneading, which creates the bread’s signature elasticity and prevents dense, heavy results.
- Temperature Matters: Use a warm, draft-free spot for dough rising to help yeast work effectively and promote optimal bread volume.
- Slice Strategically: Cut bread rounds with a sharp knife in one smooth motion to maintain their shape and prevent squishing the delicate dough layers.
- Prep Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg