Mediterranean Olive Tapenade Bread with Sesame & Sunflower Seeds

Olive Tapenade Bread Recipe
Category: Baked Goods | Servings: 10

This delectable olive tapenade bread brings a savory twist to the traditional loaf, blending rich Mediterranean flavors into a soft, chewy, and aromatic bread that is perfect for any meal. Its subtle hint of olive tapenade and crunchy sesame and sunflower seeds elevate the bread to a whole new level of taste. The combination of farro and Manitoba flour ensures a light and airy texture, while the addition of olives gives it a distinct Mediterranean flair.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough
   Begin by sifting the Manitoba flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the farro flour, dry yeast, and malt (or substitute with 1 teaspoon of sugar if you prefer). Mix all of the dry ingredients thoroughly.

2. Incorporate the Water
   Slowly add the water into the flour mixture, stirring continuously. Once the dough begins to form, transfer it onto a clean, flat surface. You may need to use a bench scraper as the dough can be quite sticky.

3. Kneading
   Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and soft. This process usually takes about 10 minutes. You’ll know the dough is ready when it is elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.

4. First Rising
   Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside, ensuring it is fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm area (like an oven with just the light on) for 2 hours to allow it to rise.

5. Prepare the Olives
   While the dough rises, pit the Taggiasca olives using an olive pitter. Set them aside.

6. Shape the Dough
   Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and transfer it to a well-oiled work surface. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, about 15–16 cm wide. Fold the long sides of the dough inward, then fold the short sides. Roll the dough up from one long side, ensuring the olives are incorporated into the roll.

7. Forming the Loaf
   Carefully seal the edges of the dough to prevent it from unraveling. Roll it into a log-like shape and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the top of the loaf with olive oil, then sprinkle the sunflower and black sesame seeds on top.

8. Second Rising
   Cover the loaf with plastic wrap and let it rise for another hour, until it has expanded and become slightly puffy.

9. Baking the Bread
   Preheat the oven to 250°C (482°F) with a bowl of water placed at the bottom of the oven to create a humid environment. This step will help achieve a beautiful crust. Bake the bread in the center of the oven for 25 minutes.

10. Lower the Temperature
    After 25 minutes, remove the bowl of water from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 200°C (392°F). Continue baking the bread for an additional 10 minutes.

11. Finishing the Baking
    After 10 minutes, flip the loaf upside down and bake for another 5 minutes to ensure a golden, crispy crust all around.

12. Cooling
    Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Enjoy your freshly baked olive tapenade bread with a warm bowl of soup, or serve it as a savory side to your favorite Mediterranean dish. The bread’s soft interior and crispy crust, combined with the olive tapenade filling and crunchy seeds, offer a delightful texture and flavor that will impress everyone around the table!

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximately 1 slice)

This bread is a perfect addition to any meal, offering a burst of Mediterranean flavor and a hearty texture. Make it your next bread-baking project, and treat yourself to something truly special!