Hearty Spinach and Cheese Bread

Author: Wil & Jen Ward of Tooele, first place, 2006 Utah State Fair Great American Dutch Oven Cook-off
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Ingredients

12-inch Dutch oven
Hot coals (20-25 on top & 9 on bottom)

Dough:
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups flour
1 package dry active yeast
1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash seasoning (optional)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup water
2 eggs

In a bowl, mix 2 cups flour, yeast, wheat gluten, sugar, salt and Mrs. Dash seasoning. Set aside. In a small Dutch oven, heat the butter, milk, and water just until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly. Add the warm liquid and the eggs to the flour mixture, and mix by hand until well moistened. Add the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough is formed. Place the dough into a lightly greased Dutch oven and allow to rise until double in size.

Filling:
8 ounces softened cream cheese
3 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1-2 cups chopped ham (optional)
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced mushrooms
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper


Directions

Mix the cream cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, ham, basil, rosemary, and egg in a medium-sized bowl and set it aside.

In a separate Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the mushrooms, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Once the dough has risen to double its size, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to reach 12-by-18-inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture on to the dough leaving 1/2 to 1-inch bare on all sides. Now spread the mushroom mixture over the spinach mixture. Roll the dough up lengthwise like a cinnamon roll. Cut the dough into wedge-shaped slices and place back in the lightly greased Dutch oven and allow to rise until double in size again. If desired, egg wash at this time.

Bake with 25 coals on the top and 9 on the bottom for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown in color (or 350 degrees in a conventional oven). Rotate the lid and oven in opposite directions ever 10-15 minutes to avoid hot spots. Remove immediately from the heat when done. Allow to cool slightly in the Dutch oven before removing it. Display on the lid and garnish as desired. Serves 12-14.