| Prep: 2 hours 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 3g | 0.5g | 53g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 2g | 9g | 0.59g |
Why I Love Greek Greek Country Bread
If there’s something I constantly cherish about my journey as a gourmet writer, it’s the opportunity to continuously explore and create new culinary delights. A standout example of these explorations is the Greek Country Bread. Despite my love for hailing vibrant Tex-Mex flavors, I also enjoy occasionally stepping out of these familiar bounds to discover what the rest of the world’s cuisines have to offer.
The Innovation Behind the Recipe
Greek Country Bread, also known as Horiatiko Psomi, beautifully encapsulates the wonders of Greek cuisine – a combination of simplicity and heartiness, a testament that less is indeed more. I was particularly inspired by Chef Cat Cora, a renowned chef of Greek descent known for her delectable Mediterranean recipes that interweaves culture and tradition. The Greek Country Bread holds authentic elements while being approachable for any home cook.
This recipe includes straightforward ingredients such as active dry yeast, warm water, white sugar, bread flour, salt, and extra virgin olive oil. For those who like to add an extra kick, a spread of sesame seeds is also an option. Most of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry, which makes it a convenient recipe to whip up at any time.
Personal Connection to the Greek Country Bread
The Greek Country Bread invites me to venture far from my Tex-Mex roots and experience traditional Greek flavors in my kitchen. What I love about this traditional bread recipe is it reminds me that it’s possible to travel the world and experience different cultures through our food encounters.
This bread’s rustic elegance and hearty texture make it an absolute joy to both prepare and devour. Add it as a side dish to a Greek salad or use it to create an irresistible sandwich – the options are limitless. As someone who finds pure joy in experimenting in the kitchen and sharing these delicacies with my grade school students, the Greek Country Bread is a firm favorite. It’s a reliable introduction to international cuisine and a testament to the magic that happens when we step out of our culinary comfort zones.
What You’ll Need
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 4 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more as needed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
Method
Step One
Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water. Stir in the sugar and set aside for 5 minutes to activate.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture, another 1 1/4 cups of warm water, and about 3 cups of the bread flour with the salt until smooth. Add the rest of the flour gradually, mixing well until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Step Three
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary, until the dough is elastic and not sticky.
Step Four
Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, which should take about 1 hour.
Step Five
When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface. Shape the dough into a ball, then someone flatten into an oval. If desired, sprinkle the top of the dough with sesame seeds, pressing them gently into the surface.
Step Six
Place the dough on a baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until almost doubled in volume.
Step Seven
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Once the dough is ready, bake for 35-40 minutes, until it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step Eight
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your homemade Greek Country Bread!
