Asiago Pesto Cheese bread
2011
This bread is so easy to make! It’s less than 5 minutes hands on, waiting for it to rise while you go about your weekend chores and the next thing you know, its time to bake! This recipe comes from the 2000 Cooking Light Cookbook. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve made dozens and dozens of recipes from this cookbook and everything comes out great! I just checked on Amazon and you can buy this book used for as little as twenty five cents!! Helen has this book and has made the enchilada casserole from it and when I asked her for the recipe, she said “You have the cookbook!” So she can vouch for it as well!
Now for the recipe!!
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour, divided
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup very warm water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 oz. grated fresh asiago cheese
2-3 tablespoons prepared pesto*
Directions:
1. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup, level with a knife.
2. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast into a large bowl. Add 1 cup very warm water and 1 tablespoon oil; stir until well blended. Add 1 1/2 cups flour; stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Turn out dough and knead by hand 8 minutes (yeah right!) or use a mixer with a dough hook. Add remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time to prevent dough from sticking to your hands if you are kneading by hand. (the dough will feel tacky). Cover the dough with a little oil or cooking spray, cover with saran wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
4. Punch the dough down, and roll into a 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Add the pesto and spread all over, then sprinkle with the cheese. Roll up the rectangle tightly, starting at long side, pressing firmly to prevent air pockets. My daughter who is 9 did this part!
5. Using a sharp knife, make 1/4 inch deep diagonal cuts across the top of loaf, using a sharp knife. Cover again and let rise for another half hour. Before baking, combine 1 egg white with 2 tablespoons water and brush over the top of the bread.
6. Bake at a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the loaf is golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
This makes 16 slices. Each serving is 2 slices and its only 108 calories, 3 fat, .8 firber and 3.9 grams of protein.
*For the pesto, I finally bought a tube of pesto from the store. Once opened, refrigerate and squeeze some on hot pasta or rice, squeeze some on scrambled eggs, etc…
pesto in a tube
Have you tried pesto from a tube yet? What do you use it for??
11 comments
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That seriously looks delish!
This sounds delicious! I love pesto. Sadly, however, I can rarely eat it because I have problems with garlic (it causes me to get bloated and gassy). Whenever I make pesto I have to omit the garlic….so sad. I would definitely try pesto from a tube if I could! I would probably just add it to pasta, or use it as a spread on bruschetta.
Just the title of the blog made me drool a little – lol! As you know, I LOVE that cookbook. It rarely leaves the kitchen because there are so many delicious recipes in it that are part of our regular rotation. This is one I haven’t tried but I do have some pesto I need to use up so here’s my answer!
This looks so amazing! I am going to a girls night get-together tomorrow, and I may just have to bring a loaf of this bread!
I’ve never tried pesto or tomato paste in a tube! How convenient though. The finished product looks beautiful!
This looks wonderful, amazing pics! Never seen pesto paste, interesting.
Wow…this looks SOOO good. I don’t know if I could stop at one slice!!! LOVE pesto in a tube, and tomato paste in a tube. Lasts WAY longer than the stuff in jars. Have a great day Jenn.
Looks awesome, do you know how many carbs?
Hi Janelle – here is your answer
according to the cookbook, it has 16 grams of carbs per serving (and that’s for 2 slices)
I’ve never seen pesto in a tube. I usually buy it in a jar or make my own. I like it on eggs, pasta, and pizza!
Ohmigod!! That just looks SO good! I wonder why pesto needs to come in a tube though…probably because people don’t want to wash up utensils?
Ooo I definitely need to try this bread! I think it would make for the perfect midday snack. Or as a part of lunch! Love pesto however I can get it!