Recipe(tried): Italian Loaf Rustica

Andrea,
Here is a different recipe that I got from a friend in Massachusetts. My family loves this recipe. Very easy and good even when its is cold.

Enjoy.
Mary

Italian Loaf Rustica

1 lb. of sweet Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 - 4 garlic cloves
1 med. red or green bell pepper

Crumble the sausage in a skillet. Add remaining ingredients and saute until brown. Drain. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl combine:

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg rapid rise yeast

Stir in:
1 1/2 cups hot water (tap)
2 tbsp. soft butter
1 cup flour

Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes. Grease a 9 or 10 inch springform pan.

Stir dough down with buttered fingers. Press 2/3 of dough into the bottom of pan. Spoon sausage mixture to within 1/2-inch of edges, top with 1/2 lb. of mozzarella cheese. Drop remaining dough by spoonful over filling and spread (will look rough). Brush with beaten egg and top with sesame seeds or butter and garlic powder. Cover and let rise until double.

Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes (when sides pull away from the edge of pan). Cool. Remove ring and serve.

Your favorite fillings can be substituted, sometimes I fill it with vegetables only (mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, etc.)