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
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp olive oil
• 500g (1 lb) ground beef 500g (1 lb) ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Gradually add warm water and olive oil, and mix until a dough forms.
2. 2.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. 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.
3. 3.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the flavors are well combined. Remove from heat and let it cool.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a rectangular shape.
6. 6.
   Spread the cooled filling evenly over one of the dough rectangles, leaving a small border around the edges. Place the second dough rectangle on top and seal the edges by pressing them together.
7. 7.
   Transfer the stuffed bread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Make sure to use lean ground beef for a healthier option. You can also substitute it with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter alternative.
• Dried herbs — If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can use fresh herbs instead of dried ones. Simply double the amount of fresh herbs in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms.
• Add a sprinkle of grated cheese on top of the filling before sealing the bread for an extra cheesy twist.
• Serve the stuffed bread with a side of fresh salad or pickled vegetables for a refreshing contrast.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the filling according to your preference.

Serving advice

Serve the Maltese Stuffed Bread warm as a main course. Slice it into thick pieces and enjoy the combination of the soft bread and flavorful filling.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, on top of the baked bread. This will add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.