Holiday Meal Bread - a Full Meal in One Loaf

Dec 14, 2011
Ellen de Casmaker

Festive Holiday Meal in One Bread - Gary de Casmaker

Special meal for the holidays? Something to make ahead or take to a party or a picnic? This one bread meal will do the trick! Its easier than it looks!

We frequently have guests over, go out, or just want something special but not too hard to make during the holidays. This one dish meal looks great and has meat, cheese, eggs, and vegetables included so you have a full meal in one dish.

This bread has two options. The picture shows the traditional version with egg and meat on top. It is easier to eat, although not quite as decorative, to put pieces of meat all the way around.

Ingredients

Bread dough

2 cups warm water
package of yeast – or 2 1/2 teaspoons
2 teaspoons salt
5 to 6 cups flour – white or 1 cup whole wheat with the remainder being white flour

Fillings/Toppings

1 1/2 cups cheddar or Gruyere cheese – grated
4 eggs raw in the shell
Ham sausage, garlic sausage or Kielbasa cut in 4 and pricked with a fork
1 cup broccoli or cauliflower
1 egg yolk beaten

Method – Prepare the Dough

First make the dough. Put the warm water and the yeast in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the water and yeast mix. Mix it all together into a sticky soft dough. Add more flour or warm water if necessary to get it all mixed in well.
Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes – it depends on how vigorous you are!! The dough should feel elastic and smooth and look a little shiny.
Put it in a bowl and cover it. Let it rise in a warm place for an hour or two. It should double in volume, the amount of time depends on how warm your room is. You can turn on the oven for 5 minutes to warm it and then let the dough rise there if your house is cool.

Method – Making the Loaf

Now comes the fun part. Get a 13 to 15 inch pizza pan and grease it.
Divide the dough in half and shape one half into a flat circle. Put it on the pan and roll it or push with your fingers to fill the pan.
Grate your cheese and cut the vegetables into small pieces. Put them into a pile in the middle of the dough.
Divide the remaining dough in two. Shape and roll half into a circle and place over the cheese and veggie centre. Put a little water under the edge all the way around. This will make it stick.
Place the eggs and meat pieces alternately around the edge. Roll the dough into slim strips and use to anchor the eggs and meat to the bread. Again, put a little water around the edge to make it the dough stick. Make some decorations and put them on top with any leftover dough. Your kids will be happy to help.
Let the bread rise for another hour.

Method – Baking the Loaf

Beat the egg yolk and paint the bread all over.
Bake the bread in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes more.

Serving and Storing

Its best to serve it out of the oven, but is also great cold. You can also store it in the refrigerator for two to three days and reheat in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Good luck and good eating!