Meal In A Loaf

Photo: flickr user Secret Tenerife

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage casing removed or 1 ½ pounds lean 2/3 cup green pepper chopped

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 pkt active dry yeast Rapid Rise

1 1/4 cups hot water

1/4 cup margarine softened

2 eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese 6 ozshredded

vegetable oil

1 tablespoon cold water

grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

In large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown sausage or beef and cook pepper until lightly browned, stirring occasionally to break up meat.

Remove from heat; drain well. Set aside.

Meanwhile, set aside l cup all-purpose flour. In large bowl, mix remaining flour, sugar, salt, Italian seasoning and yeast. Stir Hot water and margarine into dry mixture. Mix in l egg and only enough reserved flour to make soft dough. On lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes.

Divide dough in half; roll half to 14 x 8 inch rectangle. Stir cheese into meat mixture; spoon half the mixture down center of dough length.

Bring long edges of dough together over filling; seal seam and ends.

Shape into crescent; place seam-side down on greased baking sheet.

Repeat with remaining dought. Brush loaves with oil; cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight or up to 24 hours.

When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator. Uncover loave carefully; make 4 slashes on tope of each loaf. Let stand at room temperature 10 mintues.

Beat remaining egg with cold water; brush on loaf. Bake 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until down. During last 2 minutes of baking, brush again with egg mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Refrigerate leftovers; reheat to serve.