Tomato Bread

Tomato bread is a specialty that combines the aroma of freshly baked bread with the freshness of tomato. Here is how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 500g of type “0” or “00” flour
• 300ml of lukewarm water
• 20g of fresh yeast or 7g of dry yeast
• 10g of fine salt
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 200g of ripe but firm tomatoes (peeled if out of season)
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• A pinch of sugar
• Fresh basil to taste
• Dried oregano to taste
• Coarse salt

Preparation

1. Dissolve the yeast in a little lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar, allowing it to activate for a few minutes.
2. In a large bowl, pour the flour and make a well in the center. Add the dissolved yeast, olive oil, and start kneading, gradually adding the lukewarm water.
3. As the dough begins to take shape, add the salt, and continue to work until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
5. Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes into cubes and chop the garlic and basil (if using garlic). Season with oil, salt, oregano, and let it rest.
6. Deflate the dough with your knuckles and roll it out on a lightly floured surface, shaping it into a loaf or smaller loaves as preferred.
7. Spread the seasoned tomatoes over the dough, then bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for about 20-30 minutes or until golden.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Curiosity

Tomato bread can become a complete dish if enriched with slices of buffalo mozzarella at the end of cooking to get a result similar to a sliced Margherita pizza. Moreover, it is a flexible recipe: you can add olives, capers, or anchovies to personalize it further.