Asiago Cheese Bread, Excellent

Jezski's Note:

No fear...it's not as much work as it may seem. Lots of passive cooking time here. Great for hors-d'oeuvres with a little cheese spread, pate' or what-have-you! Terrific as bruschetta. This just may be the most-liked bread I make. A pre-shredded 3-cheese combination is also very good. I have no clue as to the provenance of this recipe, been making it for a while.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 baguettes

• 3 ¾ cups flour
• 1 (¼ ounce) envelope dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter , cut up
• 1 ¼ cups asiago cheese , shredded
• 1 large egg

Directions:

1. In large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and pepper. Melt butter in milk to 120-130 degrees. Stir milk mixture into flour mix until smooth. Stir in 1 cup cheese.
2. Gradually stir in about 2 cups flour to make soft dough. Knead in mixer or by hand until smooth and elastic, adding flour if needed.
3. Oil large bowl, add dough, turn to coat. Cover with clean damp towel and let double. (It may take 2-1/2 hours, must be the cheese.).
4. Punch down, form into 2 long thin loaves. Spray baking sheet, (sprinkled with cornmeal?) Or use baguette pans. Place loaves on pan, let raise, covered, until doubled (45 min.) Preheat oven to 375.
5. Slash dough with serrated knife. Brush with lightly beaten egg and sprinkle top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. (basil, parsley, opt.) Bake 30-35 minutes till done. Cool on rack.

Reviews

[Kerfuffle-Upon-Wincle]

Made in the ABM on the dough cycle mixing in all the cheese. Increased the pepper to 2 teaspoons and the sugar to 2 tablespoons ~ added 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1/4 teaspon garlic powder, and 4 tablespoons vital wheat gluten. Topped the (slashed) second rise with 4 table-spoons asiago cheese ~ Baked in two 10-5/8 x 5-1/2 x 2-3/4 Pyrex loaf pans at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

[La Dilettante]

This is a dangerously delicious bread. I added some chopped fresh basil to the dough, which added a nice scent and flavor.

[KimmieCat]

Fabulous bread. This made a delicious side for dinner. I baked on my baker's stone and found no problems. Thanks Jezski for a wonderful recipe.