Mediterranean Olive Bread

1. 1

   Yeast:

2. 2

   Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar and flour and using an electric mixer, mix all ingredients for 5 minutes. Cover and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place

3. 3

   Dough:

4. 4

   In the bowl of an electric mixture, combine the yeast mixture with all of the dough ingredients, except the kalamata olives and coarse salt.

5. 5

   In an electic mixer, mix dough until smooth and elastic 8-10 minutes on medium speed. Add olives and mix 2 min on low speed

6. 6

   Let the dough ferment, or proof, covered for 40 minutes

7. 7

   Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Pinch them down and shape into oval loaves. Let loaves rise, covered, until they are 1 1/2 times their original size.

8. 8

   Preheat oven to 375F

9. 9

   Brush loaves with olive oil nad sprinkle with the coarse salt. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes; cool on racks.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.