Tomato Basil Parmesan Bread and New Towels

Here is another new bread recipe to try. It makes wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches with mozzarella and provolone cheese.

Add 1/2 C. water and 2/3 C. milk to the bowl of your mixer.  Add 1/2 C. tomato paste.

Add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 -1/2 T. rapid rise yeast.

Add 2 cups of flour.

Add 2 tsp.of salt.

Add the minced fresh basil, as much as you like. I used about 1/2 cup. Continue to add flour, it takes about 6-1/2 C. total.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and flip to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in bulk. This takes about an hour.

Split into 3 equal portions.  Place in  greased loaf pans, cover and let rise until they are cresting the top of the pans.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes or until an internal temperature of 190 degrees.

Cool on racks before slicing.  Make sure you roll the loaves tightly before placing them in the pan or you might get a hole in the middle of your loaf like this.  These smell so good while baking.

I ordered some new kitchen towels from the Napa Style catalog.  They came in this cute towel envelope with a fork tag.

Aren't these cute?

The colors are so vibrant.

And they are made from really absorbent cloth.

They might be too nice to use!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I've made a similar bread but with dried tomatoes and basil. I like to put cheese in the dough but I've never used Parmesan. I must try that because I love Parmesan and the taste on that bread must be great!

I like those towels!
I've bought a couple ones that didn't soak any water at all before they were washed a couple of times, they just sort of pushed away the water :-) :-) :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.
brokenteepee said…
Very cute.
That reminds me - I must go deal with the tomato soup I am making today. It's to be canned.

So many tomatoes, so little time...
Robin Larkspur said…
Those towels would look nice displayed on the wall. But if they are really absorbent it'd be a shame not to use them.

Another great-looking bread recipe, too!

My Grama's Soul said…
Hi Jazz.....gads......if I made everyone of your wonderful recipes.....i would be as big as a "HOUSE". teehee

BTW.....those towels are so fab......I know of Napa Style..pretty spendy...for me....where did you find these?

Jo
Joy said…
Joyce, this bread looks wonderful as always! I have a ton of basil to use in my window box, so I'll try and find some time to make your recipe. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
beautiful bread! we fed mash to our hens, it didn't come in nice cloth sacks though, paper sacks, too bad, these reproduction towels are lovely i love the fork, and envelope, nice touch!!
William Bezek said…
This recipe is a revelation, I must try it!
Those towels are fabulous! Love the looks of this bread. I think I'll use some of my tomato powder when I make it. I don't get anything done but make what you post.
Guillaume said…
Oh, and I looooove cheese bread.
greekwitch said…
Just today my mom gave me a bunch of fresh basil that i did n't know what to do with, so i put it in the freezer. This is such a wonderful idea. I love how mediterranean this recipe is!
As always inspiring!
TheBlakkDuchess said…
I was going to make bread tonight anyways... now I'll make this too! =D

This sounds soooooo good... I can't wait!

XOXO
Barb said…
Such cute towels!! The bread looks wonderful!! As usual!
Ina in Alaska said…
I am in need of some great absorbent towels. Wouldn't it be nice to periodically have a "shower" to replace all the old stock? Must check out that website for towels. Yours are super cute!!
They'd be very cute in a "country charm" kind of kitchen!
Rue said…
Love the towels! Very cool vintage-looking!
SharleneT said…
I love the combination of tomatoes and cheese in this bread. My first thought was to make bread bowls for soup. Great recipe. Thank you for sharing; come visit when you can.