This Mediterranean Cheese and Olive Sourdough comes together in about 2 hours (most of that is hands-off time, I promise!) and bakes right in your trusty Dutch oven for a quick and easy addition to your breakfast. Your family will love the delightful aroma filling your home and the tasty, crispy crust mixing with the rich, creamy cheese and briny olives inside!
Ingredients For Mediterranean Cheese and Olive Sourdough
Let’s gather our ingredients! Here’s a breakdown of what you need for this delicious Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough:
500g bread flour: The base for a perfect sourdough. You can substitute all-purpose flour if you’re in a pinch, but bread flour gives that beautiful chewy texture we all love!
350ml water: Lukewarm water helps activate the sourdough starter and gives a lovely rise.
100g sourdough starter: Make sure it’s bubbly and active! If you don’t have a starter yet, don’t worry, check out my guide on how to make your own!
10g salt: Just the right amount to enhance the flavors, you know, a couple pinches of salt and pepper works wonders!
200g mixed olives: Chopped. I love using kalamata and green olives for that salty, tangy kick! Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
150g cheese: Crumbled feta or mozzarella works here, I’m all about that rich cheesy goodness!
Olive oil: For greasing. This helps our dough not stick and adds a bit of extra flavor!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Alright, friends! Roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to make this scrumptious Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour and water until no dry flour remains. It’s going to look scraggly for a moment, but give it a good mix. (About 3-5 minutes)
Add Starter and Salt: Now, toss in your sourdough starter and salt, mixing until everything is well combined. You’ll see the dough begin to take shape! (Give it about 2 minutes)
Incorporate the Good Stuff: Gently fold in the chopped olives and crumbled cheese into the dough. This is where the magic happens! Each bite will be loaded with flavor! (2-3 minutes)
Let It Rest: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes. This helps the dough relax and prepares it for kneading.
Stretch and Fold: After it has rested, we’ll perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes for a few hours. This is crucial for developing that smooth, elastic texture we all adore. It usually takes about 3-4 sets.
Shape the Dough: Once your dough feels smooth and elastic, shape it into a ball. We want to create a tight surface, which helps with our final rise!
First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise until it has doubled in size. This typically takes about 1-2 hours depending on the warmth of your kitchen.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F), and place your Dutch oven inside to heat up. We want it blazing hot for that perfect crust!
Transfer and Bake: Carefully transfer the dough to the preheated pot (watch out, it’s hot!) Cover it with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
Finish Baking: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until it’s beautifully golden brown and the smell, oh my goodness, it’s heavenly!
Cool: Let it cool on a wire rack before slicing into it. This is the hardest part, but trust me, that first slice will be worth the wait!
If you loved this Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough, be sure to check out my Pepperoni Pizza Sourdough Bread, my Pesto Parmesan Sourdough, or my Pickle Sourdough Bread!
Tips for Success
Quick & Easy
This recipe does come together all in one bowl and with minimal effort, allowing you to prepare other dishes while your dough rises.
Customizable
You can tailor this sourdough to suit your family’s tastes! Mix in different cheeses or herbs. The sky’s the limit!
Budget-Friendly
It utilizes affordable, everyday ingredients. You can even use leftover cheese or olives from previous meals!
Perfect for Meal Prep
You can make this loaf ahead of time and freeze it! Perfect for meal prep or impromptu gatherings!
Crowd-Pleaser
This flavorful bread is sure to impress! Trust me, the whole family will love it, my picky eater even asked for seconds!
Serving & Storage
How to Serve This Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough
This bread is perfect on its own, but you can jazz it up! Here are some serving suggestions:
- Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil or a hearty soup, can’t go wrong with that combo!
- Pair it with a fresh green salad or as a side to your favorite pasta dishes.
- It also makes a fantastic base for bruschetta or open-faced sandwiches.
How to Store Your Sourdough
- Refrigerator: The bread can be kept wrapped in a kitchen towel or placed in a paper bag for 2-3 days.
- Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze the bread by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Trust me, it will keep for a couple of months, but thaw it at room temperature or pop it in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, just pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to warm and crisp it back up!
And there you have it, your new favorite Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough! I can’t wait for you to make this, imagine the butter or olive oil gliding on that freshly baked crust! I hope this recipe finds its way into your rotation because trust me, it’s a total winner for weeknight meals or shared gatherings with family and friends!
So go ahead, roll up those sleeves, and enjoy creating something magical in your kitchen!
Happy baking! And follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Mediterranean Cheese & Olive Sourdough
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, combine the bread flour and lukewarm water until no dry flour remains. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the sourdough starter and salt, mixing until everything is well combined. This will take about 2 minutes.
- Gently fold in the chopped olives and crumbled cheese into the dough for about 2-3 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes for a few hours to develop the dough’s elasticity. This usually takes about 3-4 sets.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a damp cloth to let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F) and place your Dutch oven inside to heat up.
- Carefully transfer the dough to the preheated pot, cover with the lid, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.