Cheese Bread Ring with Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients:

Serves 6-8

Sponge:

1 cup + 1 Tbsp Flour
2 envelopes Active Dry Yeast
¾ cup Water, lukewarm
Pinch of salt

Dough:

4 Tbsp. Butter, unsalted
3 Eggs
2 cups Flour
½ cup Milk
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 slice Provolone Cheese

Filling:

3-4 Italian Sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into strips
1 Green Bell Pepper, cut into strips
1 Small Onion, cut into strips
Olive oil

This recipe dates back to Robin Hood and the Sherwood Forest! Create a ring of cheese bread and wow your family and frieds with your culinary skills (it’s easier than it looks…)

Step 1: Prepare the sponge

Dissolve yeast in warm water per package directions.

Place 1 cup flour in a medium bowl. Make a well in the middle. Pour the yeast mixture in well, add the salt, and gradually mix the flour to get a spongy batter.

Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. Flour over top, cover bowl with a clean towel, and let rest in warm place 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Pour melted butter into electric mixer with paddle attachment. Mix in eggs, one at a time then the sponge.

Add remaining flour and milk, alternating until combined. Mix until dough is smooth and shiny.

Cover and let rest 1 hour

Next, add cheeses, S&P and mix with a spoon

Prepare 4-qt ring mold with non-stick spray. Pour batter into mold.

Bake bread in 375°F oven for 25 minutes, until golden and spongy. Remove, let rest 15 minutes before removing bread from mold.

CAUTION: Allow for 2 hours “resting” time

I was a little suspicious of this bread recipe…it seemed sort of fussy to me. But…I was pleasantly surprised. The flavor is delicious and I love the dense texture.

Cook’s Tip:

The dough will have a taffy-like consistency, resembling a batter more than a dough.

As delicious as this is, you may not have time or patience to create this beautiful bread. As an alternative, choose a good quality sandwich roll and serve the peppers in the rolls…simple!