Healthy Food Recipes: Italian Sausage Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour (for rising)

Total Time: 2 hours

Servings: 8-10 slices

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp water

Steps to Cook:

1. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.

2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent.

3. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is activated and foamy.

4. Add the salt and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.

5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, adding the remaining 1 cup of flour as needed, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

7. Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then roll it out into a rectangle, approximately 12x8 inches.

8. Spread the cooked sausage and onion mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.

9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sausage mixture.

10. Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough up into a log, pinching the seam to seal.

11. Place the rolled dough seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

12. In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and 1 tbsp of water to create an egg wash.

13. Brush the top and sides of the dough with the egg wash.

14. Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F.

15. Allow the Italian sausage bread to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Cook’s Note:

• For a spicier twist, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties, such as provolone or Parmesan, to customize the flavor.
• Serve the Italian sausage bread warm, either as a main dish or as an appetizer.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

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