Ham and Cheese Picnic Bread

Recipe View 10 mins In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Recipe View 8 mins In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the flour, egg, butter, sugar and salt; mix well. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Recipe View 1 hrs Lightly oil a large mixing bowl with olive oil, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Recipe View 0 mins Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ham, cheese, pimento, and olives; set aside.

Recipe View 40 mins Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat the dough into a 10x14 inch rectangle. Make parallel cuts 3/4 inch wide and 2 inches long on the two long edges of the rectangle. Evenly spread the filling mixture over the center of the rectangle. Fold the short ends of the rectangle over the filling. Starting from one of these ends, alternately stretch strips from the two sides across the filling so that the strips overlap diagonally. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

Recipe View 30 mins Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.