Zaatar Recipe: Baba's Kalamata Bread

Ingredients:

• 12oz warm water
• 1-2 tsp yeast
• 3 cups flour (plus more as needed)
• 2 tbsp Baba's Zaatar
• 1 tbsp black caraway seeds
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 tsp maple syrup or honey
• 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 5-6 tbsp sliced kalamata olives

Instructions:

1. In a countertop mixer or bowl, mix together the flour, Baba's Zaatar, black caraway seeds, ground pepper, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, and extra virgin olive oil.
2. Add the yeast and warm water to the mixer and let it knead the dough (or knead the dough by hand if preferred).
3. Mix in the sliced kalamata olives.
4. Set the dough aside and let it rise for 1.5 hours.
5. Fold the dough inwards to form a ball.
6. Let the dough rise for 1 more hour.
7. Knead/fold the dough back into a ball and place it on the counter to rise for the final time.
8. Preheat a cast iron dutch oven in the oven at 450 degrees for 45-60 minutes.
9. Rub or spray olive oil on the bread, then season the top with Baba's Zaatar.
10. Place the dough in the dutch oven and bake for 30 minutes with the lid closed.
11. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes to crisp and brown the bread.
12. Remove the bread from the oven, cut, and enjoy!