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Farmers Market Find: Lola’s Spicy Cheese Bread

The farmers market is a summertime tradition amongst many of the Door County communities. Markets are held throughout the week around the peninsula: Jacksonport on Tuesday; Fish Creek and Sister Bay on Wednesday; Egg Harbor, Sturgeon Bay and Kewaunee on Friday; Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Luxemburg on Saturday; and Baileys Harbor and Algoma on Sunday.

Being an alumna of UW-Madison, I hold a special place in my heart for the Dane County Farmers’ Market held on the Capitol Square each Saturday morning. A large reason for this affinity is due to a certain hot and spicy cheese bread loaf that tends to work wonders on those Saturday mornings after late, fun-filled Friday evenings. Freshly baked bread filled with spices and cheese can work wonders when your energy levels are low.

I was reminded of this recently on a Tuesday morning as I stopped by the Jacksonport Farmers Market at Lakeside Park. The booths were full of lovely herb planted pots, spices, soaps, fresh vegetables and homemade chocolates. I was debating what herbs I’d like to grow this season when I came upon a folding table stacked high with bread loaves, turnovers, slices of pie and other baked goods. These bakery items hailed fresh from Lola’s Bakery in Sturgeon Bay and I immediately reached for my purse. 

The Oilerie in Fish Creek uses their own Italian-aged balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Photo by Aleah Kidd

The booth was manned by the baker himself, Steve, who pointed out a loaf that had similar properties to my old favorite – a round and twisted white bread intertwined with layers of pepperjack cheese and sprinkled generously with red pepper flakes. I happily paid my $7 to claim my extra spicy loaf and made mental plans to serve it warm for lunch with weekend guests.

Come Saturday, I set the oven to 350° fahrenheit and heated the bread for ten minutes. Once finished, I sliced the loaf into eighths and the pepper jack cheese began to slowly ooze from its layers. Served alongside a plate of the Oilerie’s Bread Dipping Oil & Balsamic, the bread added sustenance to the otherwise light meal of romaine salad dressed with a fresh lemon and oil vinaigrette. 

Take home your own loaf, spicy or extra-spicy, from Lola’s Bakery on 306 S. Third Ave in Sturgeon Bay, or seek out the booth at the Jacksonport Farmers Market each Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm or at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12 pm. Pair with the Oilerie Bread Dipping Oil & Balsamic found at the franchise’s birthplace in Fish Creek at 4083 Main Street.

 

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