Braided Pizza Dough Bread with Curried Chicken Filling

The aroma of fresh brewed coffee filled the empty house. She was peering out the window, staring at the sun making its way out through the gloomy clouds. If the sunlight managed to pierce the thick cloud cover, her day would be better. Her happiness seemed fixed on the sun's warmth - it was as if a single ray of sunlight could warm her up, make her feel alive again.

The coffee was cold, just like her. The sunlight never broke through the clouds. And the day continued, gray, overcast, and heavy, like the thoughts that engulfed her. 

And, so the cycle repeated itself, every single day. She waited, patiently, for five days - when the sun melted away all the darkness and rose, as strong as ever, coloring everything in shades of orange and yellow. 

She cupped the warm cup of coffee and smiled. It was time to live life.

Braided Pizza Dough Bread with Curried Chicken Filling

Make the filling using curried chicken from this pie. I used 1/2 of this, including the crust from leftover pie. Break the crust into smaller pieces using a fork.

For the pizza dough -

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oats, not quick cooking

1/2 tbsp flax seeds or flax seed meal

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp salt

1.5 tbsp sugar

1 1/4 tbsp active dry yeast

1 cup water

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

1 egg

To make the pizza dough, warm 1 cup water in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Dissolve sugar in the warm water and sprinkle yeast on top. 

Sift flours, oats, flax seed, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and combine to make a soft, sticky dough. If you find the need to add more water, add only a tablespoon at a time.

Let the dough rise in a warm spot till doubled in size. 

When you're ready to shape the bread, preheat oven to 375F.

On a floured surface, roll out the proofed dough into a rough circle. It should not be more than a centimeter thick. It'll make a fairly large circle. To place the chicken stuffing and make the braid, follow directions here. 

Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush liberally on the prepared braid. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top. Carefully transfer the braid on to a greased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, till the top appears golden brown. After taking the bread out of the oven, immediately sprinkle cheese on top and let cool in the baking sheet for 10 minutes and transfer on to a wire rack.

Serve warm.