Viewed from above, the glossy, golden-brown bread loaf is sat on a rustic wooden board. Upon slicing, beautifully dispersed clams reveal themselves amidst the fluffy bread interior, with a sprinkle of dried herbs and sea salt crystals glittering atop.

Aegean Clam Infused Boule

Name: Aegean Clam Infused Boule
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: fresh clams, 12 cleaned and de-bearded; all-purpose flour, 3 cups none; active dry yeast, 1 packet none; honey, 1 tsp none; extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp none; sea salt, 1 tbsp none; water, 1.5 cups warm; extra virgin olive oil, to taste for drizzling; sea salt, to taste for topping; chili flakes, to taste for topping; dill, to taste for garnish

Category Brunch

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 50 minutes

Style Mediterranean

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: February 02, 2024

Delving into the heart of Greek cuisine, we are going to create a show-stopping bread loaf, blending the delicate flavors of freshly baked bread with rich Greek clams. Known for their flavorful, briny taste and packed full of protein, they add a unique twist to the traditional bread.

Ingredients (for 4)

Fresh clams - 12 - cleaned and de-bearded
All-purpose flour - 3 cups - none
Active dry yeast - 1 packet - none
Honey - 1 tsp - none
Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp - none
Sea salt - 1 tbsp - none
Water - 1.5 cups - warm
Extra virgin olive oil - to taste - for drizzling
Sea salt - to taste - for topping
Chili flakes - to taste - for topping
Dill - to taste - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🌡️⏲️

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Step 2 - 🐚🔥✂️

Place the clams on a baking tray and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes until they open. Once cooled, remove clam meat and chop finely. Put aside for later.
Step 3 - 🍯🥣🥄

In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and honey. Mix well.
Step 4 - 🥣🍞💦

Add in the clam meat and olive oil, then gradually add the warm water while stirring. Knead the dough in the bowl until all ingredients are combined and the dough is tacky.
Step 5 - 🥣🌞⏳

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and set aside in a warm area for about 2 hours, allowing the dough to rise.
Step 6 - 🍞🔪🧂

After the dough has doubled in size, shape into a round rustic loaf. Place the loaf on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make a few cuts on top and drizzle with some olive oil, sea salt, and chili flakes.
Step 7 - 🔥🍞⏲️

Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the bread cool before slicing.
Step 8 - 🌿🍽️😋

Garnish with dill before serving.

Additional

To make this dish even more sensorially stimulating, you may add some lemon zest to the dough - a typical Greek flavor that will provide a nice tang. And for those who enjoy hands-on kitchen activities, this recipe is perfect to involve kids in, especially while kneading the dough and shaping the loaf.