Picnic bread with ham and cheese
Description
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it stand for about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, flour, eggs, oil, sugar, and salt; mix well. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in it, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium bowl, mix together ham, cheese, bell pepper, and olive oil; set aside. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 10x14 inch rectangle. Make parallel cuts along the long sides of the rectangle, leaving a 1-inch strip in the center. Evenly spread the filling along the center strip. Starting from one end, alternately cross strips from both sides diagonally over the filling, creating a braided effect. Transfer the loaf to a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for about 40 minutes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–30 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve cooled or slightly warm.