Halloumi & Olive Loaf

Servings 1 loaf,  Total time 1 hour

Why make a Halloumopita or Eliopita when you can make both in one? If you want the vegan option, or "Nistisimo" as we call it in Greek, which is made of olives and orange juice instead of eggs, I will have a recipe for that, too. Today’s bread is loaded with Halloumi, Kalamata olives, onions, cilantro, and mint, and the result is a moist, aromatic goodness that will leave you wanting more. In Cyprus, you can find many variations of this delicious bread in bakeries everywhere. However, the homemade version is always much more appealing because you get to eat it as soon as it comes out of the oven.

For the dough:

• 250gr olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 3 eggs

• 250gr  milk

• 400g AP flour, sifted

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp fine sea salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 180g pitted black Kalamata olives, halved

• 1 block of halloumi, 250g, diced into small cubes

• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped medium

• ¼ cup mint leaves, chiffonade

• 1 ½  tbsp dried mint

For the egg wash:

• 1 egg

• 1 tbsp water

For the top:

• 2 tbsp sesame seed

Steps:

1. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F/190°C. Use ½ teaspoon of olive oil to grease the bottom of 2 bread loaf baking pans, then line them with parchment paper. After lining, brush the parchment paper with another ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Set the pans aside for later use.

2. Heat ¼ cup/60g of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and cook over low heat for approximately 10 minutes until softened but not caramelized.

3. As the onions cook, beat the eggs in a large bowl. Pour in the milk while beating, then gradually add the rest of the olive oil, beating constantly until well combined.

4. Gradually incorporate the flour into the egg mixture, whisking until the batter is smooth. Then, add the baking powder, salt, and sugar and continue whisking until everything is well blended.

5. Using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, incorporate the sautéed onions and remaining olive oil from the pan, along with the scallions, fresh mint, cilantro, and dried mint. Then, use a spoon to distribute the mixture evenly between the prepared pans. Mix the egg and water in a small bowl, then brush the loaves' surface. Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

6. Place the baking pans on sheet trays and position them on the middle shelf in the oven. Allow them to bake for 40-45 minutes; consider that baking times may vary depending on your oven. To check for doneness, insert a thin, sharp knife or a toothpick into the middle of each pan. If it comes out clean, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before removing the parchment paper and transferring the loaves of bread to a wire rack. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.