“I really like to bake bread,” I told her.
“You do? Really? I love bread!!! I used to work at an Italian deli and they made the BEST homemade bread. It had olives in it. It was so good. I loved it!”

“Oh, so you like olives?”
“Yes, I love them.”
“Do you like GREEN olives?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like blue cheese?”
“Oh yes! I MUST have it on my salads.”

“Okay, then. I’ll bake you bread. I’m going to make you a green olive blue cheese bread. I’ll bring it to you on Wednesday.”

“Really? Neat.”

Signed. Sealed. Delivered. End of story.

This one is a winner!! Green Olive Blue Cheese Artisan Bread

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Green Olive Blue Cheese Artisan Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1 cup blue cheese stuffed olives, thinly sliced

In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast and allow to bloom for 10 minutes.

Stir in the flour, salt, and sliced olives.

Loosely cover and let rise for 2 hours at room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees for at least 1 hour.

Line a baking sheet or loaf pan with parchment paper.
With floured hands, form the dough into a bread loaf or round boule.

Bake for 20 minutes at 450 degrees.

If desired, add a pan of water to the bottom of the oven to allow for a bit of steam on the bread while baking. This method will make the bread “sing” to you.

Enjoy a martini on the side!