Indian-Italian Stuffed Bread

Ever since we discovered it a few months ago this cute little bakery near my home has become our one-stop shop for every big or small celebration. We visit it often to satiate our sweet cravings any time of the day. Not only does it have the softest melt-in-your-mouth fresh cakes and pastries, but also has innovative Vegetable and Paneer snacks which I love to binge upon.

Despite devouring bakery products, I’m not much of a baker myself. I’m almost always sure that my cakes can either be used to replace bricks for Taekwando practice or be responsible for early denture treatment for the adventurous and masochistic ones. Call it a case of low confidence, if you may. I’m just not cut out for it.

That is why when I come across different types of breads available at this place it particularly interests me. To be honest, in my home the use of breads is primarily limited to having bread-butter with tea or for making sandwiches. Flavoured breads have only recently found their way to my kitchen; hence the avenues opened for experimentation are endless!

This lovely Spicy Masala bread loaf was something I was tempted to try out. With a palate accustomed to not settle for any dry bread (even flavoured one) I had to figure out a way to slip some additional taste, possibly nutrition and moisture into it. Since it was thick enough to be parted in the middle, I toyed around a bit and created this beautiful, colourful dish.

Spicy Masala bread with Italian vegetable stuffing

Ingredients:

Spicy Masala bread (preferably) or any one of your choice – 1 no

For filling:

Onion (finely chopped) – 1 no

Tomato (finely chopped) – 1 no

Baby corn (diced in circles) – 5-6 no

Capsicum (finely chopped) – 1 no

Carrots (finely chopped) – 1 no

French beans (finely chopped) – 5-6 no

Basil leaves (roughly shredded) – 2 tablespoons

(for filling and garnish)

Garlic (finely chopped) – 5-6 cloves

Cheese cubes (shredded)/cheese slices – 2-3

Pasta sauce – 1 tablespoon

Italian mixed herbs – 1 teaspoon

Black pepper – 1 teaspoon

Garlic butter – 1 tablespoon

Oil – 1 tablespoon

Salt to taste

For garnish:

Tomato ketchup

Mayonnaise

Basil leaves

Procedure:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic to it and sauté till it turns brown. Add onions and let them get translucent.

2. Now add all vegetables one by one. Start with French beans, carrot, baby corn, capsicum and finally add tomatoes. Sauté them lightly so their crunch is retained. This shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

3. Add shredded basil leaves, pasta sauce and season with Italian mixed herbs, black pepper and salt (keeping the salt in the sauce in mind).

4. Mix well and let it cool. Your filling is ready.

5. Now take the bread and slit it partly midway. Take care that it doesn’t break into two pieces.

6. Grease it generously with garlic butter. Add the filling to it (keep some aside for garnish). Don’t try to force more than you can fill comfortably. Finally, add the cheese slice/shredded cheese and press the sides close together.

7. Heat a pan and melt some garlic butter over it. Lightly grill the bread carefully from both sides.

8. Serve in a lovely big plate and garnish with the filling, basil leaves, tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

The bread loaf had lots of red chilly flakes, kasuri methi and other Indian spices on the top. Those spices mixed with the Italian seasoning in the filling, cheese and garlic butter made an awesome combination. You have to try it to believe it! <3

I have no idea if any such dish exists or what is it called (help me out?). This was a figment of my imagination. What about you? Which new thing have you tried or want to try your hand at? Do share with me.

Alexa Rank on Sep 21, 2017

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Varsh

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