Garden Bread

 

“And why not throw the veggies straight into the bread?”  That is what you will ask yourself after trying this one out.  This loaf is perfect for toasted cheese sandwiches!  This was fresh and healthy, a great way to sneak the veggies in.  Be sure to refrigerate what you don’t eat the first day.  I found this in a great cookbook all about Homemade Food Gifts.  I love some of the ideas, and I thought this was a good one.  They suggested folding it in a cloth napkin and securing it with a napkin ring.

(This recipe made 4 mini loaves.)

GARDEN BREAD (Simply Homemade Food Gifts)

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup tomato juice

2/3 cup coarsely shredded carrots

3 T coarsely chopped green bell peppers

3 T sliced green onions

4 T butter or cooking oil

4 cups bread flour

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed

1 tsp active dry yeast.

Grease loaf pans. 

With Bread Machine: Add the ingredients to a bread machine according to the manufacturer’s directions.  Select the basic white bread cycle.

Without Bread Machine:  Add warm water and sugar to mixer.  Sprinkle yeast over the top and let it bubble and sit for about 10 minutes.  Add flour, oil, and salt.  Mix until dough forms.  Add remaining ingredients and mix until incorporated.  With so many loose ingredients, you might have do some of the needing by hand.  Form rounded loaves, and let rise 30 minutes-1 hour. (I like to turn my oven to warm and let it sit in there for about 15-30 minutes.  It rises much faster.)  Bake at 350 for about 30 minute.