She Strengthens

Savory French-Inspired Quick Bread: A Delicious Twist on the Classic Ham and Cheese

In the heart of France, rustic quick breads are a staple snack, often served with a warm cup of coffee or tea. Inspired by this tradition, we’ve created a mouthwatering savory quick bread that combines the richness of ham and cheese with the brininess of Niçoise olives.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

To make this recipe truly special, use high-quality ingredients, including a fully cooked or smoked ham steak and a rich, creamy Gruyère cheese. The result is a savory quick bread that’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a light lunch, especially when paired with a refreshing Butter Lettuce and Pumpkin Seed Salad.

Special Equipment and Variations

You’ll need a metal 9-by-5-inch loaf pan for this recipe. If you prefer, you can also use this recipe to bake savory muffins instead of a loaf. Simply coat a standard 12-well muffin pan with butter and bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Easy to Make, Delicious to Eat

This easy recipe requires only 15 minutes of active time and yields a delicious 9-inch loaf. With a total time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, you can enjoy this savory quick bread in no time.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (about 3 1/2 ounces)
• 1 1/4 cups small-dice cooked ham (about 7 ounces)
• 1/3 cup small-dice pitted Niçoise olives (about 1 1/4 ounces)
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted, plus more for coating the pan

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Generously coat a metal 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter and set it aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and pepper until aerated and any large lumps are broken up.
4. Add the cheese, ham, and olives to the flour mixture and toss until the pieces are separated and evenly coated.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
6. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until the flour is just incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
7. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, pushing it into the corners and smoothing the top.
8. Bake until the bread is golden brown all over and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes.
9. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes more before slicing.