Sausage And Pepper Braid Recipe

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, bulk or possibly casing removed
• 3/4 c. minced red pepper
• 1 1/4 c. hot water, 105-115 degrees F.
• 2 Packages active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 3/4 - 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, in store
• 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 2 Large eggs, room temp. (1 for glaze - 1 in recipe)
• 4 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, about, I use bread flour
• 1 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

1. Brown sausage and red pepper till done, stirring to break up meat.
2. Drain - cold.
3. I drain 3 times on paper toweling.
4. Measure hot water into large hot bowl.
5. Stir in 1 Tbsp.
6. sugar and yeast till dissolved.
7. Add in remaining sugar, salt, seasoning, butter 1 egg and 2 c. flour.
8. Beat with hand mixer till smooth.
9. Stir in sufficient more flour to make soft dough.
10. Knead 8 to 10 min on floured counter.
11. Place in greased bowl, top side down, turn.
12. Cover; let rise till doubled, about 1 hour.
13. Punch dough down; divide into 6 pcs.
14. Roll each into 14x4 inch strip.
15. Stir cheese into sausage; spoon down center of each strip.
16. Healthy pinch long edges together to create 14 inch ropes; seal ends.
17. Braid 3 ropes together; to make loaf.
18. Seal ends and tuck under.
19. Repeat with remaining ropes - do not stretch.
20. Place on greased baking sheet; cover with clean woven dish towel.
21. Let rise till double, about 45 min.
22. Beat remaining egg and 1 tsp.
23. cold water; brush on loaves.
24. Bake at 400 degrees F. in preheated oven, about 25 min.
25. Loaf should sound hollow when tapped on - if not put back in oven for 3-5 min and try again.
26. Serve hot.
27. Chill leftovers; reheat to serve.
28. Makes two loaves.
29. Delicious with vegetable salad, makes a meal.

italian sausage, red pepper, hot water, active dry yeast, sugar, salt, italian seasoning, butter, eggs, allpurpose flour, mozzarella cheese

Taken from cookeatshare.com/recipes/sausage-and-pepper-braid-25285 (may not work)