Stuffed Cheese Breads

Indulge in the savory delight of Stuffed Cheese Breads, a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly combines the pleasures of freshly baked dough with a rich and flavorful cheese filling. This recipe showcases the art of bread-making at its finest, as you transform basic ingredients into a gourmet treat. The dough’s lightness, created with plain yogurt and olive oil, serves as a perfect vessel for the decadent blend of Monterey Jack and feta cheeses, punctuated by fresh herbs. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to a meal, these stuffed breads promise a symphony of textures and tastes. Dive into the world of baking perfection with the step-by-step guide below.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Dough:

• 1¼ cups plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1¼ teaspoons SAF yeast or 1¾ teaspoons bread machine yeast

For the Filling:

• 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 ounces (113 g) crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup minced Italian flat-leaf parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint
• 1 egg white, beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for glaze

PREPARATIONS:

1. Prepare the dough according to the manufacturer’s instructions in the bread machine.
2. Prepare the cheese filling by combining all the filling ingredients in a small bowl, then cover and refrigerate.
3. Prepare a nonstick standard muffin tin by spraying 8 cups with vegetable cooking spray.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Program the bread machine for the Dough cycle; press Start.
• If the yogurt is thick, be prepared to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to the dough.

TIPS:

• Use high-quality cheeses for the best flavor and meltability in the filling.
• Adjust the folding style of the dough according to your preference for presentation.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the pan and turn it out onto a clean, lightly floured work surface.
2. Divide the dough into halves, then further divide each half into quarters, resulting in 8 pieces.
3. Roll out each portion into a 7- to 8-inch round, about ¼ inch thick, or press and stretch with your palm if you don’t have a small rolling pin.
4. Place the rolled-out dough into a muffin cup, leaving a skirt of dough draped over the sides.
5. Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons of the cheese filling into each dough cup, mounding it higher in the center.
6. Pleat the skirt of the dough in loose folds over the filling, leaving it folded flat or creating a twisted knob on top.
7. Allow the stuffed breads to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes, then preheat the oven to 400ºF (205ºC).
8. Brush the tops of the breads with the egg white glaze.
9. Bake the stuffed breads for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
10. After baking, let the breads cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing them to a rack.
11. Allow the stuffed breads to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. If freezing, place them in plastic freezer bags, and when ready to serve, defrost in the refrigerator and warm in a 300ºF (150ºC) oven for 8 minutes.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Total Fat: 7g (9%)
• Saturated Fat: 3g (15%)
• Cholesterol: 15mg (5%)
• Sodium: 250mg (11%)
• Total Carbohydrates: 16g (6%)
• Dietary Fiber: 1g (4%)
• Protein: 6g

YIELD:

• Makes 8 stuffed breads (approximately 2 pounds)

The Stuffed Cheese Breads recipe offers a delectable journey into the heart of gourmet baking, where the marriage of fluffy dough and rich cheese filling results in a culinary masterpiece that’s both visually appealing and irresistibly flavorful. The recipe begins with the artful combination of plain yogurt, olive oil, bread flour, salt, and yeast within the bread machine. The machine’s Dough cycle turns these humble ingredients into a smooth and elastic dough, ready to be transformed into a canvas for the sumptuous cheese filling.

As the bread dough rests and rises, the cheese filling takes shape, combining shredded Monterey Jack cheese, crumbled feta cheese, minced parsley, a fresh egg, cilantro, and mint. This fusion of flavors creates a harmony that tantalizes the taste buds.