Tomato Pesto Batter Bread

An easy to make quick bread with the savory flavor of basil and sun-dried tomatoes.

Step: 1

In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Step: 2

Place the basil leaves and the olive oil in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

Step: 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the salt. Add the yeast mixture, basil mixture and sun-dried tomatoes; beat together until well combined, about 3 minutes. Cover bowl with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.

Step: 4

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step: 5

Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish or 5x9 inch loaf pan. Gently remix the batter with about 20 strokes of a wooden spoon and pour into the prepared pan. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.

Step: 6

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the bottom of the loaf sounds hallow when tapped. Remove loaf from pan, place on a wire rack to cool and brush with melted butter.

Per Serving: 100 calories; protein 2.3g; carbohydrates 16.5g; fat 2.8g; cholesterol 3.1mg; sodium 95.3mg.

The best flavour of the flour can make a real deal to your bread. Different makers do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal bread , which not always getting bigger as well as clear bread.

To make this in a breadmaker , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A bread first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can work it night before , then finish it off the next day.