Olive - Cheese Quick Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, room temp
• 3/4 cup milk (or buttermilk or water)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion (optional)
• 35 stuffed green olives
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions

1. 1

   Grease a loaf pan; set aside. Preheat oven to 350.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and the cheese; set aside.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg; stir in milk and oil, mixing well.

4. 4

   Add onion to the egg-milk, mix; then stir into flour mixture--do not over-mix, just get things moist.

5. 5

   Spoon half of batter into prepared pan. Arrange 28 olives on their sides, 4 rows of 7 olives each.

6. 6

   Spoon remaining batter over the olives, smoothing the top with the back of the spoon.

7. 7

   Place remaining 7 olives evenly spaced down the center of the top of the loaf.

8. 8

   Brush with olive oil (or spray).

9. 9

   Bake 35-45 minutes until wooden pick comes out clean.

10. 10

    Let stand 10 minutes---this is really important or the loaf will sort of fall apart when you cut it :-(.

11. 11

    VARIATIONS: Use a different type of cheese for a whole different flavor. How about a different kind of olive? Mmmmm -- .