Secrets: Tomato Bread

How exciting! I was picked and featured at Lark's Country Heart in the top three picks for Made it on Monday.

Lark has some awesome recipes to share. Make sure you visit her, spend some time with her, and save some of her recipes. She has many recipes in MY saved recipe's file.

I just have to find the time to make them.

She inspired me to make an amazing peach cobbler. A keeper that will be made many times over.

Well folks, the time has come for me to give up my tomato bread recipe. Well, not my recipe but I will give out the original.

I have to keep the secrets that I added to this recipe a secret (or I wouldn't have people calling for this bread).

My sister-in-law gave me the cookbook that is pictured above. She was on vacation and thought of me during her vacation. She brought this book home to me, and I am so glad she did.

The tomato bread recipe has been tweaked and changed to my liking (and so many other's liking).

I started making this bread when I was attending the Farmer's Market in my area. The bread is so unique and flavorful that customers returned looking for more.

It got to the point where I was making six loaves of bread just to take to the Farmer's Market (sold out every time), and there were people calling for special orders.

A friend of mine called me before Father's Day to see if I would make her some tomato bread so she could give it to her Dad for Father's Day.

This bread makes the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich.

How can something that looks like a total mess turn into something amazing?

After it is kneaded it all comes together and looks like this.

On the rise here.

But like I said, I can't supply my recipe. You will have to tweak and create this to your own liking.

Grab the recipe and run....

I turned to my Facebook family and did a survey on the tomato bread (Share the recipe/not share the recipe). Share the recipe won (imagine that...).

This recipe is linked to:

AND:

Tomato Bread

Inspired by: Best of Country Breads (original recipe from the book)

1 pkg. (1 TBS) active dry yeast

1/4 c. warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)

2 c. warm tomato juice (110 degrees to 115 degrees)

1/4 c. ketchup

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

3 TBS sugar

2 TBS butter, melted

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

6 3/4 to 7 1/4 c. all purpose flour

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the tomato juice, ketchup, Parmesan cheese, sugar, butter, salt, basil, oregano and 3 c. flour. Beat until smooth (I use a wooden spoon). Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover (I use a warm water dampened four sack) and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/4 hours. Punch dough down. Divide in half. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9x5x3 loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

"However, after His brothers had left for the Feast, He went also, not publicly, but in secret."

John 7:10

Why did Jesus act secretly? He came with the greatest gift ever offered. Many religious leaders hated Him, and many would refuse His gift of salvation, no matter what He said or did. The more Jesus taught and worked publicly, the more the leaders would cause trouble for Him and His followers. For this reason, Jesus had to teach and work as quietly as possible. There are a lot of people today that have the privilege of teaching, preaching, giving examples, and worshiping publicly with little persecution. We should be great-full for these people and make the most of their opportunities to proclaim their secrets, views, and gospels.