Green Olive, Cheese and Ham Bread

"A slice of this richly satisfying bread from Provence makes a terrific breakfast. You'll notice a great deal of bubbling action from the olive oil when you remove the bread from the oven. Don't worry; it will settle down quickly ", Nancy Harmon Jenkins

Serves 6 to 8

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup dry white wine
4 eggs
½ cup grated Gruyére cheese
½ cup pitted green olives
½ cup baked ham, diced
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Butter and lightly flour a 9 x 2 inch (23 x 5 cm) round cake pan. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

Combine the olive oil, wine and eggs in a mixing bowl and beat with a wire whisk just enough to mix well. Stir in the grated cheese, olives and ham.

In a small bowl, mix the baking powder with the flour, salt and pepper, then stir into the egg mixture. Using a spoon or a rubber spatula, mix everything well. Turn the mixture into the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the bread is thoroughly cooked and golden on the top. Turn it out on a cake rack and let cool slightly before cutting and serving.