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Basil Tomato Bread with Scallion Spread
This savory quick bread brings the bright flavors of fresh tomatoes and basil straight to your table. Using a food processor makes the batter come together in minutes, blending ginger, scallions, and tomatoes into a smooth base before folding in the dry ingredients. The result is a moist, tender loaf with a beautiful herbaceous aroma. It pairs perfectly with the accompanying cream cheese spread, which gets a sharp kick from fresh scallions and a dash of hot sauce. Serve it warm for a comforting brunch side or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Celtic salt
- 1 small piece of gingerroot
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, or ¼ cup dried
- 1 scallion, cut in 1-inch pieces
- 3 seeded and quartered tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ¼ cups sugar (or 1 ¼ teaspoons stevia)
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces low-fat softened cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 large scallion cut into 1-inch pieces, or 1 bunch chives
- ⅛ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Instructions
- 1Place the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a food processor. Pulse for two seconds to mix, then transfer the dry ingredients to a separate bowl and set aside.
- 2Add the gingerroot, fresh basil, and chopped scallion to the empty food processor bowl and pulse for two seconds.
- 3Drop in the quartered tomatoes and tomato paste. Process the mixture for ten seconds until it forms a smooth puree.
- 4Pour in the sugar and run the machine for thirty seconds to dissolve it into the tomato base.
- 5Crack the eggs into the processor and blend for one full minute.
- 6Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and process just long enough to incorporate it into the wet mixture.
- 7Return the reserved flour mixture to the processor. Pulse five or six times until no dry streaks remain, then scrape the batter into a greased loaf pan and spread it into an even layer.
- 8Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool before slicing.
- 9Make the spread by combining the softened cream cheese, the remaining chopped scallion, and the Tabasco sauce in the cleaned food processor. Blend until smooth and serve alongside the baked loaf.