Check out this oregano and cheese loaf recipe

This recipe draws inspiration from traditional Palestinian bread. The dough is normally rolled paper-thin and stuffed with fresh za’atar leaves and a mixture of onion, sumac and cheese. After stuffing, the dough is folded into an envelope shape, then fried or baked.

I have substituted fresh za’atar with oregano, as it’s easier to find, and have turned it into a loaf, which is dead easy to make. I like serving it in slices while it’s warm, or slightly toasted, spread with butter or, even better, with a bowl of olive oil and some za’atar to dip chunks of bread into.

Ingredients

270g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp mahleb (a powdered spice derived from cherry stones, available from souschef.co.uk)
15g sesame seeds
2 tsp nigella seeds
2 medium eggs
260ml whole milk
60ml olive oil
30g oregano leaves
100g feta, roughly crumbled
50g halloumi, roughly chopped

Method

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. Line a 20cm x 10cm x 7cm loaf tin with baking parchment. Set aside.

Step 2

Put 270g plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 tsp mahleb, 2 tsp sesame seeds, 1½ tsp nigella seeds and 1¼ tsp salt into a large bowl and mix well to combine.

Step 3

In another bowl, whisk together 2 medium eggs, 260ml whole milk and 60ml olive oil, then add to the dry ingredients.

Step 4

Add 30g oregano leaves, 100g roughly crumbled feta and 50g roughly chopped halloumi, then, using a spatula, fold gently to combine, making sure not to over-mix.

Step 5

Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and level out with the back of the spatula. Sprinkle over 9g sesame seeds and ½ tsp nigella seeds and bake for 30 minutes, until the top and sides are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 6

Allow the loaf to cool for 15 minutes in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack. Leave to cool for a further 10 minutes before serving.

Step 7

The bread is great for keeping in the freezer – simply cut the loaf into thick slices, wrap it tightly and freeze for future use.