11 Mar 2025
Cook time 20 min
Prep time 15 min
Ingredients:
3 cups self-raising flour
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup basil leaves
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup feta cheese
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves
1/3 cup olive oil
Tomato pesto damper scrolls are a delightful twist on traditional damper, combining the savory flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and homemade basil pesto. This recipe results in flaky, flavorful scrolls that make a perfect accompaniment to soups, salads, or even enjoyed on their own as a savory snack. With simple, wholesome ingredients and straightforward steps, you can easily prepare these delicious scrolls in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour and a pinch of salt.
- Add the butter to the flour mixture. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Make the Pesto:
- In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Process until well blended and smooth. If you prefer a chunkier consistency, pulse the mixture to your desired texture.
- Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a rectangle approximately 1cm thick.
- Evenly spread the prepared basil pesto over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Add the Fillings:
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated parmesan cheese over the pesto layer.
6. Roll and Cut the Scrolls:
- Carefully roll the dough into a log starting from one of the long edges.
- Using a sharp knife or a piece of dental floss, cut the log into 2-3cm thick scrolls.
7. Bake:
- Place the scrolls, cut side up, onto the prepared baking tray.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the scrolls are golden brown and cooked through.
8. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the scrolls to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
- These scrolls are best enjoyed warm.
Tips:
- Ensure the butter is cold when rubbing it into the flour to achieve a better, flakier texture in the damper dough.
- For a more intense pesto flavor, toast the pine nuts lightly before blending them with the basil, garlic, and olive oil.
- If the dough is too dry, add a little bit of milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Chopping the sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese into smaller pieces will help distribute the flavors more evenly in each scroll.
- Experiment with different cheeses if you like, such as goat cheese or ricotta, for a different flavor profile.
- Keep an eye on the baking time and check the scrolls from around 20 minutes to ensure they don’t overbake and become too dry.
These tomato pesto damper scrolls are sure to impress with their unique blend of flavors and beautiful presentation. Whether served warm from the oven or enjoyed the next day, they remain delicious and satisfying. Perfect for gatherings, picnics, or an indulgent treat, these scrolls showcase the joy of baking with fresh, flavorful ingredients.