Ham & Cheese Braid

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2-3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 egg, beaten
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons rosemary
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 100 g cooked ham, sliced
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/3 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Recipe

• 1 combine warm water, yeast and sugar in mixing bowl, stirring together gently.
• 2 allow yeast mixture to foam (approx 5 minutes).
• 3 add 1.5 cups of flour and salt 1 beaten egg, rosemary and olive oil.
• 4 mix well, adding additional flour to make a soft dough.
• 5 knead until smooth.
• 6 place dough in an oiled bowl, turning to coat, cover with saran and let rise until doubled in size (approx 45 min).
• 7 punch down.
• 8 turn dough out onto lightly floured board and roll into a 12 x 15 rectangle.
• 9 transfer onto greased or parchment paper covered baking sheet.
• 10 combine mayo and mustard well and spread up centre of rolled dough.
• 11 lay thin slices of the ham along mayo-mustard spread and cover evenly with cheese.
• 12 using scissors cut dough on each side into 1-inch strips (down the entire length).
• 13 enclose the filling by starting at the corners and folding the strips over the filling in a criss-cross manner.
• 14 let loaf stand, uncovered in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
• 15 beat remaining egg and water together to make egg wash and brush over loaf; sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper.
• 16 bake at 375ºf for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.