How To Add Fillings to Sourdough: Easy Olive Sourdough Bread Recipe
Level up your sourdough bread with chopped olives, woodsy thyme, fragrant lemon zest & Parmesan cheese. Recipe adapted my book Artisan Sourdough Made Simple.
120 g (1 heaped cup) pitted mixed olives, roughly chopped
2 g (1 tbsp) picked thyme leaves
Zest of 1 lemon
80 g (1/2 cup) ground Parmesan cheese, optional
Categories
Sourdough Bread
Cuisine
American
Steps
Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk the starter and water together with a fork. Add the flours and salt. Combine to form a stiff dough, then finish mixing by hand to fully incorporate the flour. Cover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes.
Add the Fillings: After the dough has rested, add the olives, thyme, lemon zest and parmesan cheese (if using) to the bowl. Gently knead the fillings into the dough, using the stretch and fold technique, To do this: stretch the dough upward and fold it over toward the center of the bowl. Give the dough a turn and repeat (stretching, folding and turning) until the fillings are tucked into the dough.
Bulk Rise: Cover the bowl with lightly coated plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until double in size. This will take about 8 to 10 hours at 70 F (21 C). Note: if making the dough in the summer, the rise time will be considerably less; bulk rise during the day and chill the whole bowl overnight when almost double in size. Optional Step: If you’d like, for added structure, do 1-2 sets of stretch and folds during the bulk rise, spaced 30 minutes apart.
Shape: Remove the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line a proofing basket with a towel and dust with flour. With floured hands, gently cup the dough and pull it toward you to tighten its shape. Then place the dough into your basket, seam side up.
Second Rise: Cover the dough and let rest until noticeably puffy but not fully risen, about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on temperature. Alternatively, chill the dough overnight, up to 8 hours. Let rest at room temperature while the oven heats up before baking. Preheat your oven to 450 F (230 C). Cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit the size of your baking pot.
Score: Place the parchment over the dough and invert the basket to release. Sprinkle the dough very lightly with flour and rub the surface to coat. Make one long, off-center cut down the length of the loaf using a small knife or razor blade. Use the parchment to transfer the dough into the baking pot.
Bake the dough on the center rack for 20 minutes, covered. Remove the lid, and continue to bake for 30 minutes. Lift the loaf out of the pot and finish baking directly on the oven rack for the last 10 minutes. Cool for 1 hour before cutting into slices.
Reviews
Happie on 2021-06-07 (5 stars): So fun and creative! Can’t wait to do this for our next family summer event, perfect for this time of the year.
Thank you for always sharing such great ideas!
<em>(Review provided by a support team member for theclevercarrot.com)</em>
Julie on 2021-06-26 (5 stars): Hi Emilie, love your book ! Its the only one i use, your recipes do not fail. I just finished making your overnight baguette and they turned out beautiful. So fun to bake...... I incorporataed rosemary in the dough, did not use thyme. i want to also use basil since i have a lot in my garden and I'd like to add grated parm cheese. If I add grated parm, should i add more water? will it interfer with gluten developement so maybe i should use bread flour? could you help guide me on this pls? looking at your recipes - for the olive bread you use bread flour, for the baguette you use APF. what is the reason for the difference? Thanks for your help !
Julie
Linda on 2022-09-12 (5 stars): I have made this bread several times and it is truly AMAZING!!! Makes a
Great panini!! I also gave it as a gift. I felt so gourmet!
Thank you! Your cookbook has inspired me.
Linda on 2022-09-12 (5 stars): Oh you are welcome! I used Smoked Gouda, Turkey, caramelized onions and Mayo
It was ridiculously good
Susan on 2022-09-14 (5 stars): Thank you so much for the reply. I did use bread flour and weighed all ingredients. What might have happened is that I had a lot of juice from my oranges perhaps too much. If that happens again should I just add a little more flour to help it bind a little better. I did bake the bread, it didn’t rise as much but was delicious. I will make it again. I’m in San Diego so the weather was pretty good. Love your book and have given it as gifts many times. 🥰
Yuliana Nikolaeva on 2022-10-22 (5 stars): I’m complete beginner yet my loaf turned out insanely good just by following your simple instructions. Thanks to the amazing recipes you’re sharing I’m no longer intimidated of making sourdough at home
Lenora Roland on 2023-02-23 (5 stars): We enjoyed this bread! Thank you for a great recipe. I didn't have fresh thyme so used fresh chopped rosemary.
Micki on 2023-09-29 (5 stars): Hi Emilie, first off, I’m so impressed with your cookbook. I have learned so much and my bread turns out amazing every time I make it. I started baking during Covid and now it’s a habit!!
The recipes are so easy to follow and the ingredients are easy to find and always impress my big family and friends. I have made both sweet and savory recipes.
Annette Fries on 2024-04-06 (5 stars): This recipe is amazing. Took it to a party today and it disappeared before I could take a picture. Another great bake thanks to the clever carrot.
Jayesh on 2024-04-17 (5 stars): Hi Emilie, I made the stuff olive and rosemary sourdough bread and it turned out to be very tasty airy and soft.
Camiella on 2024-06-15 (5 stars): This recipe is perfect! I have played around adding different herb and even sundried tomatoes always turns out great
Angela on 2024-09-19 (5 stars): This recipe is so incredibly delicious. I would spend good money for a loaf of bread of this taste and appearance! I skipped the parmesan and it was still such a wonderful burst of flavors without being overpowering.
Billy on 2025-03-07 (5 stars): I enjoy using this recipe. Over the end of year holidays I used roasted/then chopped pecans with rehydrated (and drained) cranberries. It was a big hit with the relatives and neighbors as gifts. I like the japaleno/sharp cheddar inclusions as well.
Scott on 2025-04-12 (5 stars): This is very tasty.
Lucie Moulton on 2025-04-23 (5 stars): I have your cookbook and was so glad to see it posted here to include the comments. I’m just curious about shaping it into a loaf…..and then what vessel is it best to bake it in, a Dutch oven or a staub braised that has more wrong to fit a long loaf?
shrea kuile on 2025-04-24 (5 stars): Thanks for sharing the different types of recipes. You mentioned the ingredients and instructions which will make easy to prepare them at home. All food items are healthy and delicious. I like your blog nd also prefer organic products.
Susan on 2025-04-28 (5 stars): I used about 3/4 pound of bulk sage sausage, 1 medium onion and 1 clove of garlic. I sauté the onion and garlic a bit in a cast iron pan until they begin to color then add the sausage in chunks and stir to brown the sausage and mix everything together. I cool the mixture until it is cool enough to handle and fold it in as directed here. I was very nervous doing it the first time, but it worked great and was a big hit for the crew when we were playing cards.
Mary Unitis on 2026-04-04 (5 stars): Hi Emilie,
I love your book and have made numerous recipes from it, all delicious! I have given the Saturday morning fruit and nut bread as a gift many times and have received many repeat requests. I’m making it today for Easter Sunday brunch, another repeat request!