Black Olive and Mediterranean Spice Bread

This Mediterranean loaf studded with black olives, garlic, and Italian seasoning is a spiced from-scratch yeast bread your family will love.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 232 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
• 1 tablespoon butter, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes. Add flour, black olives, olive oil, garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning to the bowl; mix well to form a dough.

Step 2

Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth, 5 to 10 minutes. Let stand until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Punch dough down gently and knead, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let rise until doubled in volume again, about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Line a bowl with a well-floured cloth. Form dough into a ball and place upside down in the bowl. Let rise until doubled in volume again, about 45 minutes.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Fill a baking dish with water and place it in the bottom of your oven.

Step 6

Grease a baking sheet with 1 teaspoon butter and sprinkle cornmeal on top. Turn dough out gently onto the baking sheet.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until puffy, about 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until bread is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Brush remaining 2 teaspoons butter over the surface. Let cool slightly before slicing, about 15 minutes.