Spinach - Sun Dried Tomato Bread

Bread Dough:

• Luke-warm water - 3/4 cup

• Instant yeast - 2 ¼ tsp

• Olive Oil - ¼ cup

• All-purpose flour  - 2 ½ cup

• Dried basil - 1 tsp

• Salt - 1 tsp

Filling:

• Frozen Spinach - 3 cups

• Sun Dried tomatoes - 1/2 cup

• Olive Oil = 2 tbsp

• Nutritional Yeast - 2 tbsp

• Garlic Powder - 1/2 tsp

• Salt - 1/2 tsp

• Fresh Basil - few leaves (optional)

  
  

Instructions

• Add the luke-warm water and yeast to a mixing bowl and let sit 5-10 minutes. Then, add in the olive oil and mix together.

• Next, add the flour, dried basil, and salt and mix together until a thick dough forms.

• Once the dough has formed, it’s time to knead the bread for 7 to 8 minutes in the stand mixer.

• When the dough is elastic, form into a ball. Place the dough into a well-oiled bowl and let rise 1-2 hours until the dough has doubled in size.

• Run the frozen spinach under warm water until soft and squeeze out all the water from the rinsed spinach.

• Add the spinach, sundried tomatoes, oil, fresh basil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt to a food processor or blender and blend into a thick paste.

• Generously grease a 9*5 inch pan with oil or non-stick spray and set aside.

• Once the dough has doubled in size, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

• Roll the dough into a rectangle that is ¼-1/2 inch thick in height.

• After the dough is rolled out, use a spatula to spread the filling evenly across the dough. Make sure to leave a ¼ inch border around the edges without filling.

• Beginning with the longer side of the rectangle, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Lightly flour the dough as you go to help if it gets a bit sticky. Seal the roll by pinching the dough ends together. Then, flip the dough over so the pinched side is facing down.

• Using a sharp knife, slice the log down the center. Then criss-cross the two halves of dough on top of each other with the filling facing up to form an X and twist the dough together.

• Place the dough into the greased pan, platting back any loose filling and tucking ends under, if needed. Cover the dough with a towel and let rest 1 hour to proof until doubled in size.

• Preheat the oven to 350F. Before placing the babka into the oven, lightly brush the top of the bread with olive oil to help it brown. Bake the babka for 40-45 minutes until cooked through and browned on top.

• As soon as the babka is out of the oven, coat it with a thin layer of olive oil to seal in the moisture. Then, let the babka cool in the baking pan for 20 minutes before removing.

• Run a knife along the edges of the pan and gently remove the babka from the pan. Slice and serve warm!