Olive & Sun-dried Tomato Artisan Bread

Olive and Sun-dried Tomato Artisan Bread is so delicious. If you have never baked bread at home, you NEED to give this a try.

Mediterranean olive bread is super easy to make. Perfect alongside soups, stews, and salads. I love dipping it in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The perfect appetizer, and great paired with puttanesca pasta for dinner.

I love the combination of sun-dried tomatoes and olives. I even have an easy savory scones recipe that incorporates these wonderful flavours.

If you are a cheese lover, you really need to give this cold ricotta dip a try. This gourmet blend is a true crowd-pleaser, and so easy to whip up. So much better than store-bought.

Show off your baking skills with this crusty artisan bread recipe. I promise everything you need to know about baking bread from scratch is in this post.

Making homemade bread isn’t as hard as it may seem. It takes a little work and patience. I still remember watching Baba in the kitchen. Kneading and shaping the loaves. She was such a master at it. Her braided kolach and Easter paska and babka were always so impressive.

Easy banana bread is a staple in most houses. Simple ingredients and delicious results.

No knead Irish soda bread is the perfect recipe for starting your bread baking journey.

Quick onion bread is super easy to make. Great with soup, stew and chilli.

Want a change of pace from bread? How about some Cheddar Cheese Muffins? Super cheesy and delicious.

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this rustic sun-dried tomato and olive bread can be found at the bottom of this post.

I think the big thing that scares people about making bread is the fear of failure. Perhaps it won’t rise or it won’t bake properly. You will never know if you don’t try. For me, baking bread brings on a sense of accomplishment.

Artisan Bread Ingredients

The ingredients list is simple. You know the basics:

• bread
• flour
• yeast
• water
• oil
• salt
• sugar
• egg

This recipe also includes dried rosemary. If you choose to use olives with pits, be sure that you measure them after removing the pit. You need a total of 4 ounces of olives (without pits). Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil are used in this bread. Be sure to drain them, pat dry and thinly slice. Not sure what the difference is between the jarred and dried variety? Here is a great article on how to use them in recipes.

Making Olive and Tomato Bread From Scratch

Now comes the FUN part. This recipe is similar to sun-dried tomato and olive focaccia.

Let’s get started! (remember ALL you need to know is in the recipe card)

• Measure your dry ingredients into a large bowl
• Add the oil and water
• Mix with a spoon until combined
• Turn onto a floured surface or use a silicone mat (affiliate)
• Knead until combined

• Once the dough is combined flatten slightly
• Top with olives and tomatoes
• Roll like a jelly roll
• Knead until combined and smooth
• Shape into a ball
• Place in an oiled bowl
• Cover and proof in a warm place for about 90 minutes (dough should double in size)

• When ready, turn dough onto floured surface or mat
• Punch down and cut in half
• Shape each half into 2 round loaves
• Place on a baking sheet that has been dusted with flour, or use a baking mat
• Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes
• Preheat your oven
• Make 3 shallow slits on the top of each loaf, and brush with beaten egg yolk
• Bake

Congratulations, YOU DID IT! Now the oven does the rest of the work. Your house is going to smell so good while the bread bakes. Be proud of your accomplishments. I know the results are going to be amazing.

It will come out of the oven crusty and delicious. That hardest part is not breaking off a piece and eating it while it is piping hot. Although, I have been known to LOL.

What Is Artisan Bread?

This usually refers to bread baked in small batches. Crusty loaves, much denser than regular sandwich bread. Found in local bakeries, some grocery stores, or better yet right in your own kitchen.

It has a shorter shelf life, contains no preservatives, and is best eaten within a couple of days. To store it after the first day, wrap it in foil (not plastic wrap). For longer storage place it in the freezer.

I really like using beeswax wraps (affiliate) to keep it fresh.

Bread Baking Secrets

Be sure to follow these simple tips for perfect results.

• Always read the recipe completely before starting. Making sure you understand the process and have all the ingredients you need.
• Measure correctly. Using a kitchen scale (affiliate) helps with this process especially with the dry ingredients.
• Use lukewarm (not hot) water. It should feel slightly warm to the touch.
• Make sure the yeast is fresh. Expired yeast will not work as well in recipes. Check the date. If you purchase yeast in bulk, be sure to keep it in the freezer until needed. Measure out what you need and let it get to room temperature before adding it to the recipe.
• Over or under kneading the dough. This comes with practice. All the ingredients should be incorporated, and the dough should be smooth with an elastic texture.
• Proof in a warm location. The cooler it is, the longer it will take for the bread to proof. If it is too cold, it will not rise. Yeast works best at above 75ºF.
• Preheat the oven before baking. This is important. Make sure it is at the right temperature before placing the loaves into the oven.

Can I Use My Oven To Proof Bread?

On a warm day, the countertop is usually fine. If it is chilly, you can turn your oven into a proof box.

Turn on the oven light. Cover your dough and place it inside the oven. The heat from the light will help create a warm place for the dough to rise.

You can also use the boiling water method. Place the covered bowl of dough on the middle rack. Pour boiling water into a pan. Place the pan beside the bowl. Close the oven door and allow the dough to rise.

If you limit the time that the oven door is open, the proof box can be used for both the first and second rise without the need to replace the hot water.

Check out these olive recipes for some delicious inspiration:

Pissaladiere is an olive tapenade pizza. A French version of the Italian classic.

Cocktail party meatballs combine ground beef and olive tapenade. A crowd pleaser.

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