In this blog, I wanted to share a recipe for some Dutch Oven Olive bread I recently made. I don’t know about you, but I love fresh baked bread. There’s just something special about having a warm slice of bread. The smell alone is enough to make your mouth water. I have to admit I don’t eat a whole lot of bread. When I do, I usually choose sour dough bread, as it is better for you, but bread is one of those comfort foods many people enjoy. I don’t bake bread often either, but I happened to come across this recipe that sounded perfect to try in my new Dutch oven. This recipe is pretty easy to make and tasty too. The dough doesn’t require a whole lot of prep work and only takes a few hours to rise. What’s more, this recipe contains a few healthy ingredients including garlic, which is good for your immune system. It also contains olives, which not only are delicious, but have black olives are loaded with MUFAS, good fat, that help give you energy and also help lubricate your joints and muscles that your body needs to function properly and thrive.

Anyway—this bread proved to be the perfect combination with my Black Bean Butternut Squash Soup I also happened to be making. Give it a try if you are looking for a new recipe, or try them both if you are looking for some warming comfort foods.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • 1 package active dry yeast (2-1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 Tbsp salt
  • 4-1/3 cups organic flour or tapioca flour
  • 1 cup black sliced olives, drained
  • 1/2 cup sliced, green olives
  • 3 cloves minced fresh garlic
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp olive Oil
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Dried parsley

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine water and yeast. Add 1 cup of the flour and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon, until combined. Stir in olives, herbs, garlic and garlic powder. Add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, stirring until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour.

Coat the bottom and sides of a Dutch oven with 1 tablespoon olive oil using a napkin or your fingers. Remove the plastic wrap from the bowl. Flour your hands and shape the dough into a disk shape and transfer it to the Dutch oven. Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drizzle remaining olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt and parsley. Score the top of the loaf with a knife. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is nicely browned. Remove from oven and turn the bread out onto a cutting board or wire cooling rack. Let cool or serve warm.

Note: You can also top the bread with Parmesan cheese, or add a 1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes to the dough.

Enjoy!
Barb

P. S. If you are interested in reading more about healthful eating and living a healthy lifestyle, you might want to check out my book, Wholey Cow A Simple Guide To Eating And Living.