Lunch: Tomato, Basil, and Garlic-Filled Pane Bianco

Dianna Wara of Washington, IL, won the grand prize at the 2009 National Festival of Breads recipe contest with this braided Italian beauty. Learn more about the National Festival of Breads and the winning baker.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Basil

Health benefits of Tomato, Basil, and Garlic-Filled Pane Bianco

Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

1/2 c. warm water
1/4 c. granulated sugar
4 tsp. Fleischmann's® Active Dry Yeast
1 c. low-fat milk
1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil
2 large eggs
2 tsp. salt
5 c. King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour (up to 5 1/2 cups)
1 jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
3/4 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
1 1/2 c. shredded Italian blend cheese
.67 c. chopped fresh basil

Instructions

In a small bowl, add warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit 10 minutes. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add milk, oil, yeast mixture, eggs, and salt. Mix until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Stir in enough of the flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface or with a dough hook 6 to 8 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, turn to grease top. Cover, let rise in a warm place until double, about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, thoroughly drain sun dried tomatoes; lay on paper towel to absorb moisture. Using kitchen shears, finely chop tomatoes. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Punch down dough, divide in half. Roll one piece into a 22 x 8 1/2-inch rectangle. Sprinkle on half of the garlic, cheese, basil, and tomatoes. Starting with 22-inch side, roll up (jelly-roll fashion) tightly. Pinch edges to seal.
Place roll seam-side-down on baking sheet. With scissors, cut lengthwise down center of roll, about 1 inch deep to within 1/2 inch of the ends. Keeping cut-side up, form an "S" shape. Tuck both ends under center of "S" to form a figure eight; pinch ends to seal.
Cover; let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Bake the first loaf in a preheated 350-degree F oven 35 to 40 minutes. Tent loaf with foil after 15 to 20 minutes to prevent overbrowning. Bake remaining loaf.
Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.