Ham'n Cheese Picnic Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup water (110 degrees f)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped ham
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento pepper, drained
• 1/2 cup black olives, drained and chopped

Recipe

• 1 in a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand until fully dissolved and creamy (this will take close to 10 minutes).
• 2 in a large mixing bowl, combine the dissolved yeast mixture, with the flour, butter, egg, sugar and salt and mix this well.
• 3 when the dough has come (pulled) together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until nice and smooth.
• 4 this will take around 7-8 minutes.
• 5 lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in this bowl and turn to coat the dough with oil.
• 6 cover with a damp cloth and set aside to rise in a warm place until it has doubled in volume.
• 7 this will take approximately 1 hour.
• 8 preheat your oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c).
• 9 combine ham, cheese, pimento, and olives in a medium bowl, and set aside.
• 10 deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
• 11 roll or pat the dough into a 10x14 inch rectangle.
• 12 make parallel cuts 3/4 inch wide and 2 inches long on the two long edges of the rectangle.
• 13 evenly spread the filling mixture over the center of the rectangle.
• 14 fold the short ends of the rectangle over the filling.
• 15 starting from one of these ends-- alternately stretch strips so that they overlap diagnally.
• 16 transfer the loaf to a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with damp cloth and set aside to rise until doubled in volume.
• 17 this will take around 40 minutes or so.
• 18 bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.