Maltese Stuffed Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp olive oil
• 200g (7 oz) Maltese sausage, diced 200g (7 oz) Maltese sausage, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 100g (3.5 oz) pitted olives, sliced 100g (3.5 oz) pitted olives, sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) mixed cheeses (such as cheddar and mozzarella), grated 100g (3.5 oz) mixed cheeses (such as cheddar and mozzarella), grated
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 60g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
2. 2.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. 3.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. 4.
   In the meantime, heat a pan over medium heat and cook the diced Maltese sausage until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
5. 5.
   In the same pan, sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until softened.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a rectangle shape.
8. 8.
   Spread the cooked sausage, onion, tomatoes, olives, and grated cheese evenly over one of the dough rectangles.
9. 9.
   Place the second dough rectangle on top and seal the edges by pressing them together.
10. 10.
    Transfer the stuffed bread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Maltese sausage — If you can't find Maltese sausage, you can substitute it with a spicy Italian sausage or chorizo for a similar flavor profile.
• Mixed cheeses — Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as gouda or provolone, to add your own twist to the filling.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
• Serve the Maltese Stuffed Bread with a side of fresh salad for a complete meal.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add some chili flakes or hot sauce to the filling.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to regain the crustiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Maltese Stuffed Bread warm as a main course or slice it into smaller portions for a delightful appetizer or party snack.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra grated cheese and parsley on top of the bread before baking. This will create a beautiful golden crust with specks of green.