BEEF AND CHEESE BRAID

FOR THE DOUGH:
2 3/4 to 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
1 pkg. active dry yeast
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
FOR THE FILLING:
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. dried herbs (crushed)
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced smoked beef*
melted butter (to brush on baked loaf)

In a large mixer bowl combine 1 cup of the flour and the yeast.

In a saucepan, heat together the water, the 2 tablespoons butter, sugar, and salt until just warm, stirring constantly until butter almost melts. Add liquid to dry ingredients in mixer bowl along with the egg. Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic, cover dough; let rest 10 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface roll dough to a 12x9-inch rectangle. Cut dough lengthwise into three 12x3-inch strips. Brush strips with some of the melted butter; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of herbs. Sprinkle a third of the cheese and beef lengthwise down center of each strip together enclosing filling; pinch all edges together to seal. Place strips side by side on a large baking sheet, seam side down. Braid together and secure ends.

Cover; place in oven. Turn oven on to 250 degrees F; turn off after 1 minute. Open oven door slightly; let dough rise until nearly double in size (about 30 minutes).

Remove baking sheet from oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped. Transfer to wire rack; brush with melted butter and sprinkle with additional herbs.

*Substitutes for the smoked beef slices: cooked ground beef, Spam, cooked sausage, ham.

First place blue ribbon 4-H winner.

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HAM AND CHEESE BRAID

FOR THE DOUGH:
2 3/4 cups flour, divided use
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. yeast
3/4 cup water
4 tbsp. butter
1 egg, room temperature
FOR THE FILLING:
Sliced ham
Sliced cheese
melted butter (to brush on baked loaf)

Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast.

Heat water and 2 tablespoons butter to 140 degrees F (butter need not melt). Add dry ingredients and moisten on low speed. Add egg; beat 3 minutes, at medium speed. Stir in enough more flour to make a stiff dough. Knead 5 minutes.

Roll dough into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Cut into 3 (12-inch) strips. Sprinkle ham and cheese down center of strips. Pinch edge together. Braid strips on ungreased baking sheet. Tuck ends under. Let rise 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter.

VARIATION:
Spread thousand island dressing on bread then thin slices of corned beef and sauerkraut.

Source: Cookbook USA