Feta & Dill Bread

There’s nothing like a fresh loaf of bread when the heat of summer finally begins to break. This loaf comes dressed up in herby, savory goodness using the last of this summer’s dill and creamy feta cheese. Serve it as a side to a lazy porch dinner or enjoy it as a snack.

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups water (lukewarm)
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp active dry yeast
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp sugar
6 oz package of feta
¼ cup fresh dill
Coarse sea salt for garnish

Instructions:

In a measuring cup, measure out your warm water. Make sure the water’s temperature is around over 100°F to properly develop the yeast. Set it aside and allow the yeast to bloom for 10 minutes.

While you’re waiting on your yeast, you can assemble your other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, add your flour and salt. Stir lightly to combine.

Crumble your feta into small chunks. They don’t have to be too small or the same size, but they should be no bigger than a nickel. You can skip this step if you bought crumbled feta.

Remove the leaves from your dill plant. Set aside

After the yeast has sat to bloom for 10 minutes, pour your sugar into the yeast. Stir until mostly dissolved and pour the yeast mixture into your dry ingredients. Don’t begin mixing just yet.

Add your olive oil, feta, and dill leaves to the dough.

Mix with a spoon, without kneading. Continue mixing until the dough has no dry spots of flour, but don’t mix anymore afterwards.

Take a towel and soak it in warm water, then wring out the excess water. Lay it on top of the mixing bowl.

Set the dough in warm place, like on a sunny windowsill, to rise for 2 hours.

After an hour and a half, preheat your oven to 450°F.

Prepare a baking sheet by covering it with a sheet of parchment paper. Set aside.

Once 2 hours have passed, directly dump your dough onto your baking sheet.

Sprinkle your finishing salt on top of the dough and bake for 35 minutes.

Once baked, allow it to cool for at least a half hour before serving. Cut into slices and enjoy with soup, buttered and toasted, or as a snack.