Making Maltese Bread: A Delicious Recipe from Malta

🍞Traditional Maltese bread is made with a sourdough starter, which gives it a unique flavor and texture.

🥖The dough is mixed by hand and requires several rounds of stretching, folding, and kneading to develop gluten.

🍽️The dough is left to ferment overnight, allowing the flavor to develop and the dough to rise.

🔥The bread is baked at a high temperature to create a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior.

🥪Serve the bread as a base for a classic Maltese open sandwich, topped with ingredients like tuna, tomatoes, onions, and capers.

What is the difference between Maltese bread and regular bread?

—Maltese bread is made with a sourdough starter, which gives it a unique flavor. It also has a slightly different texture, with a crispy crust and a soft, chewy interior.

Can I make this bread without a sourdough starter?

—While the sourdough starter adds flavor and helps with the fermentation process, you can also make this bread with commercial yeast. Just follow the package instructions for the amount of yeast to use.

How long does it take to make Maltese bread?

—Making Maltese bread takes about 24 hours, including the time for the starter to ferment and the dough to rise. Most of the time is hands-off, allowing the dough to rest and develop flavor.

Can I freeze the bread?

—Yes, you can freeze Maltese bread. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag. Thaw it at room temperature when you're ready to serve.

What other toppings can I use for the Maltese open sandwich?

—The Maltese open sandwich, known as 'hobz biz-zejt', can be topped with a variety of ingredients. Some popular options include cheese, olives, ham, and roasted vegetables.

00:23In this video, we learn how to make traditional Maltese bread.

01:00Start by making the levain the night before using a sourdough starter.

03:51After 12 hours, add water and salt to the levain to create the dough.

06:22Shape the dough and let it ferment for 2 hours.

09:21Bake the bread at a high temperature for 1 hour to achieve a crispy crust.

09:52Prepare the toppings for the Maltese open sandwich, including tomato paste, tuna, onion, and capers.

10:48Spread the toppings on the bread and enjoy!

11:00Share your thoughts on the recipe in the comments section.