Greek Olive Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 cup milk (heated to 105 degrees)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 1/2 cups flour (approximately)
• 15 pimentos, stuffed olives
• 1/2 cup feta (cut into cubes) or 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (cut into cubes)
• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 t. water

Recipe

• 1 sprinkle yeast over water in a large bowl.
• 2 let stand until soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
• 3 stir in milk, sugar, salt and 4 t. of the oil.
• 4 add 1c flour; mix to blend.
• 5 stir in 1 1/2c more flour and beat until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• 6 stir in 1/2c more flour to make a stiff dough.
• 7 turn onto floured surface.
• 8 knead until dough is smooth and develops small bubbles just under the surface, about 15 minutes.
• 9 place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over.
• 10 cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 11 punch dough down and pat into a 1/2-inch circle.
• 12 sprinkle with olives and cheese.
• 13 knead and fold lightly into dough, then shape into a ball.
• 14 pat out to an 8-inch circle.
• 15 place on greased baking sheet.
• 16 with a 3 to 4 - inch cutter or empty tuna can, cut a circle in center, leaving round of dough in place.
• 17 brush dough with remaining 2 t. oil.
• 18 let rise until puffy, 30 to 45 minutes.
• 19 brush with egg yolk mixture.
• 20 bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes until crust is a rich golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
• 21 cool on a rack before slicing.
• 22 enjoy!