Mimi's Holy Bread

For full effect, go here to see illustrations of how to put this together.  A great loaf for people who don't thing they have time to make bread.  I envision stuffing this full of savory meats and cheeses and taking it the next time I take a meal to a family with a new baby.

• 3 1/4 cups flour
  
• 1 tablespoon sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 packet rapid rise yeast
  
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
  
• 1 cup warm water
  

Mix 2 1/4 cups flour and next three ingredients, add butter and warm water and work into soft dough.  Add more flour (enough to keep it from getting sticky) and knead for 4 minutes.  Sprinkle more of flour on surface and roll into 13 by 9 inch rectangle.  Don't worry if you don't use all the flour.

You are now ready to add fillings.  According to Mimi, a wide variety are possible, both sweet and savory.  Some recommendations:

• 3 tablespoons softened butter plus cinnamon sugar
  
• pesto, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomato
  
• sausage and provolone
  
• pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese
  
• pesto and mozzarella
  

For spreadable fillings (butter, sugar, pesto etc, spread over entire surface of dough. Make cuts across both long edge of dough, 1/3 the way across.  Pile any chunkier fillings (meat, cheese) down the center, uncut strip.  Bring opposite strips together across dough, pressing so that fillings are wrapped in dough and top has a braided appearance.  Look at Mimi's pictures to see how it's done. Brush top with melted butter or olive oil.

Let rise on cookie sheet set above casserole dish of hot water 15-20 minutes.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.