Simple Olive Loaf

this is a simple bread that can be knocked up easily to accompany your soups or stews…..or just eaten warm with butter while hunched over the kitchen counter.

ingredients

550g plain flour

2 teaspoons quick yeast

½ tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

25g butter

375ml milk

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup black olives, chopped

method

Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl

Heat the milk and butter on the hob until warm and melting then add to the flour and mix with a spoon to a rough dough, then knead

Add olive oil and olives and continue to knead into a silky dough.

Leave dough to rise in a greased bowl in a warm place for one hour

Once doubled in size, punch the air out of the dough and shape into a large oblong. I then use the but of my open hand to create a grove in the top

Place on a greased or lined baking sheet and cover with a tea towel for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 200c

Once risen, put in the oven for 15 minutes