Tomato Bread

Prep Time: Under 20 mins to proof the yeast and knead the dough

Cook Time: 30 mins
Yields one 9 inch long loaf
Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com 

(It was such a titillating experience baking this bread for me. You can customise it according to your palates. Say you can add cheese, reduce the paprika or even use green chilies instead. I m yet to bake this with cheese though. You can use butter instead of olive oil. I just used olive oil as i wanted a vegan version but in the end, landed up glazing the loaf with butter. Keep an eye on the salt as the ketchup has salt added to it. You might want to add about 1/4 cup of gouda or parmesan cheese if you decide to go with it. In that case, you will require just about 1/2 tsp of salt. You can also roast fresh tomatoes and garlic in the oven, make paste and add it to the dough instead of adding pureed tomatoes. I used dabur home made tomato puree and it worked like a charm. I was being a mere lazy goose here. Feel free to make your own puree. Nothing like home made. Dont knead the dough for more than 6 mins the first time and 1 min after the second rise. The bread tends to become dense if you over knead the dough. And use a 9*5 inch loaf pan for this. Remember, the right size of loaf pan matters cos the loaf might tend to undercook if you use a smaller pan. Substitute sesame seeds with poppy seeds for another flavor totally. You can even add cumin seeds and cilantro to the dough if you want intense flavors. The rising of the dough totally depends on the weather. If its hot, then the rising will be quick. If its cold, it takes time. Alternatively, you can preheat your oven at 180 C for 5 mins. Then cover the dough with a sheet of tin foil and let it rise inside the oven. Dont forget to switch off the oven though.)


What you need?


All purpose flour 3 cups
Tomato puree 1/3 cup
Tomato Ketchup 2 tbsp
Warm water 2/3 cup
Yeast 2 and 1/4 tsp
Sugar 1 tbsp
Salt 3/4 tsp
Red paprika 1 tsp
Oregano 1 tsp
Mixed herbs seasoning 1/2 tsp
Garlic or onion flakes 1 tbsp ( optional)
Olive oil 2 tbsp
Flour for dusting 1 tbsp

For The Topping:
Sesame seeds 2 tbsp

Milk at room temperature for glazing the dough about 1 tbsp


How to make it?

Mix the yeast, sugar and the warm water in a bowl and set aside for 10 mins.
In the meanwhile, place the flour, salt and the spices in a large mixing bowl and combine well.
Make a well in the center and add the pureed tomato, olive oil and tomato ketchup. By now, the yeast should have proofed with a nice frothy layer on the top. Add the yeast mixture in the center.
Start combining the dough slowly until it all comes together in one mass.
Now, transfer the dough to a floured surface and start kneading the dough with your hands for about 5 to 6 mins until you get a soft elastic dough just like that of chapathi dough. Do the whole process of kneading with the heel of your palm, alternating between folding the dough and kneading. (refer notes above).
Once you get a supple and soft dough, transfer this to a bowl greased with oil and cover with a kitchen towel.
Let it rest in a warm place till the dough doubles. Mine took exactly 45 mins.
Once the dough has doubled, knock it down and knead for another min.
Grease a loaf pan generously with oil.
Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in the loaf pan.
Set aside covering with a kitchen towel again in a warm place.
Wait till the dough doubles. Takes another 40 to 50 mins again.

Towards the end of the second rise, preheat the oven to 190 C.
Once the dough doubles, glaze with milk, add the toppings that you desire and place in the oven and bake at 190 c for 20 mins.
After 20 mins, reduce the temperature to 160 C and bake for another 10 mins.
Remove from the oven and let the loaf stay in the pan for 10 mins.
Glaze the loaf with melted butter.
Now, invert onto a cooling rack and let it cool.
Once cooled, cut into slices with a serrated knife.