Casatiello Savory Easter Cake

• 1 3/16 cups warm water
• 1 2/3 tablespoons yeast
• 7 1/4 cups flour
• 7 3/4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 9/16 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 13/16 tablespoons pecorino romano cheese
• 2 2/3 cups cheese
• 2/3 pound cured meats
• 5 whole eggs

1. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
2. Add the flour on a work surface and make a well in the center. Place the yeast mixture in the well with the shortening, salt, black pepper, and grated cheese. Mix well.
3. Knead the dough well until it is soft, elastic and uniform. Continue to knead vigorously for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a moist kitchen towel and let it rise for approximately 2 hours in a warm place.
5. Punch down the dough and knead it for a few minutes.
6. Set a small piece of dough aside for the eggs.
7. Roll out the remaining dough and place the cheeses and meats on top.
8. Knead it all together, making sure the cured meats and the cheeses are well incorporated with the dough.
9. Lightly oil and flour a round tube pan and place the dough inside the pan.
10. Add the whole eggs, raw (be sure to wash them well) and cover them with two strips of dough in the shape of a cross.
11. Let the dough rise in a warm place, covered, for approximately 3 hours.
12. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
13. Bake the dough for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Cool completely and remove the bread from the pan.

water, yeast, flour, vegetable shortening, salt, ground black pepper, pecorino romano cheese, cheese, meats, eggs

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/Casatiello-Savory-Easter-Cake-518469 (may not work)