Saturday, May 12, 2012

Saturday's Super Salads & Easy Cheesy Bread

It's Saturday and hubby and I ran our usual errands and stops today...Einsteins for power bagels & coffee and our weekly Costco stop.  Since we had pizza for dinner last night and our leftover pizza for lunch this afternoon, I decided we'd have big main dish salads tonight filled with romaine, Cherubs tomatoes, carrots and sliced chicken tenders along with my Easy Cheesy Bread. I just sort of stumbled on the cheesy bread by accident recently by trying to figure out a way to use a leftover ball of Publix fresh pizza dough that needed to be used.  So I thought I would try making a cheesy bread roll that would help use up all the partially used bags of different shredded cheeses in my cheese drawer.  I had some mozzarella, sharp cheddar, parmesan, and monterey jack.  I figured if it turned out awful, then I'd just throw it out...but the amazing thing was it turned out absolutely wonderful!!!  Below is the simple recipe to make my Easy Cheesy Bread as well as a few photos.

Easy Cheesy Bread

1 ball of fresh pizza dough, set out at room temp for about 1 hour
1-1/2 cups shredded cheese (any kind you like or have available)
Italian Seasoning, to taste
Red pepper flakes, to taste

Line a cookie sheet with foil and lightly spray it with Pam cooking spray or brush lightly with olive oil. Place ball of dough in the middle of your prepared cookie sheet and begin pressing it out with your fingers (or you can roll with a floured rolling pin if you prefer) until it is an oblong oval shape approximately 12-14 inches long and about 8-10 inches wide (this is not an exact measurement).  After your dough is in an oblong/oval shape, spread your shredded cheese on top covering the entire surface; sprinkle with Italian seasoning (to taste) and red pepper flakes (to taste).  Take the longer edge of your cheese covered dough and begin rolling it over (so it will be long when rolled up similar to the shape of a baguette/French bread).  Press the edge/seam tightly so it won't come open when baked.  Gently curve your bread roll (or you can leave it straight) and make sure it is seam side down on your cookie sheet.  Lightly cut several slashes crosswise (3 or 4) on top of the loaf so steam can escape and a little cheese can gently ooze out.  Place in a 400 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes until lightly golden brown and bread feels done.  Let the bread sit for about 5-10 minutes before cutting. Slice and enjoy!

Ready to be rolled up
Rolled, slashed and curved...ready to be baked
Fresh out of the oven...oozing with cheese and herbs
Sliced and ready to eat
This is our dinner salad...fresh and yummy!
BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM!

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