Bread Machine Olive Bread (Mediterranean Bread)

Bread Machine Olive Bread is a tender, fluffy loaf full of fresh herbs, kalamata olives and feta cheese. I consider this a Mediterranean bread recipe, as it's ingredients and flavors are typical of the Mediterranean diet, and are quite delicious! It's based off my super soft and fluffy basic white bread and roasted garlic bread recipes. This olive and feta bread has a similar texture and taste to my readers' favorite sundried tomato basil bread.

You can make your Mediterranean olive bread using the dough cycle and bake it in the oven if you like to shape the final loaf. Or, use the basic or white bread setting on your bread maker and let the bread machine mix, knead and bake it for you. Either way, this loaf is fantastic as morning toast or an accompiant to a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dinner, such as stuffed cabbage rolls or kebab hindi.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Bread machine olive bread uses some of my favorite Mediterranean ingredients to make a super tender and soft yeast bread.

• Bread flour: bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour and will create a fluffier loaf. While you can substitute with all-purpose flour, the final outcome will be a little more dense. You can use a combination of flours as well, to include rye flour or whole wheat flour. Both of these flours need more liquid to produce a good loaf, though.
• Kalamata olives: I like to use a mix of marinated kalamata olives. Any kalamata olives can be used.
• Feta cheese: feta cheese crumbles add incredible flavor, softness and texture to this recipe. Grated parmesan cheese is a good substitute.
• Fresh herbs: this bread is perfect with a combination of fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano and parsley. You can use dried herbs if needed, but in a smaller quantity. Only use one third the amount of dried herbs.
• Garlic: I love adding a bit of garlic for extra flavor. Roasted garlic is great, as is a clove of fresh minced garlic.
• Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil. Substitute with pure olive oil or in a pinch, vegetable or canola oil.
• Yeast: for bread makers you can use active dry yeast, instant yeast or bread machine yeast. Do not proof the yeast before adding it to the bread pan.
• Vital wheat gluten: this is optional, but I use it to ensure my loaves get a good rise, especially if the kitchen is cooler than usual or my yeast is acting up.
• Sugar/salt

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Add all ingredients except for kalamata olives, feta cheese and herbs to the bread maker pan in the order listed (for Cuisinart machines*). If baking in the bread machine, select the basic/white bread setting, choose the 2 pound loaf size and your prefered crust color. If baking in the oven, select the dough setting and 2 pound loaf size. Turn on the mix-in function. *For other bread machine brands refer to the instruction manual for the correct order to add ingredients.
2. When the mix-in signal chimes, add kalamata olives, feta cheese and herbs. Use a spatula to help knead the mix-ins into the dough if necessary. If dough becomes too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time until a tacky and soft dough ball forms.
3. If baking in the oven, remove the dough from the bread pan when the cycle is finished. Punch dough down a few times and reshape into a ball. Place on a baking sheet and cover with a heavy towel. Put in a warm place and let rise for 30-40 minutes until doubled in size. Gently brush the top of the dough with milk or egg white being careful not to deflate the dough. Bake at 350℉ for 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190℉.
4. Remove bread from the machine or oven when done. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

How To Store

Allow homemade bread to cool completely on a wire rack before packaging to store.
Slice the bread and keep it in a cool dark place, such as a bread box or cloth bread bag, for up to 3 days. Homemade bread can also be frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and put in a freezer safe storage bag. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Ideas For Serving Mediterranean Bread

• as an appetizer with a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dinner, like stuffed peppers, mini meatballs and veggies, unstuffed cabbage roll casserole and stuffed grape leaves.
• dipped into soups like unstuffed pepper soup or cabbage roll soup.
• toasted and smeared with cream cheese, butter, hummus, roasted tomatoes or roasted garlic.
• turn it into a hot sandwich, like a bacon grilled cheese, traditional grilled cheese, or tomato basil mozzarella sandwich.