Play Off Pepperoni Mozzarella Loaf Food

PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl and stir until smooth. Microwave the sauce, stirring halfway through, until hot, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and sprinkle with the mozzarella and pepperoni pieces.
• Working from one long side, roll up the rectangle like a jelly roll and position it seam-side down on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to trim the ends of the dough log, then cut the log in half lengthwise. Lay the 2 halves cut-side up next to each other and twist them together into a tight loaf about 12 inches long.
• Transfer the twisted dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush gently all over with the egg mixture. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center, 30 to 32 minutes. Transfer the braid to a cutting board, cut into slices and serve with the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.

KIDS CAN MAKE: PULL-APART PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with oil.
• Pour the 3 tablespoons oil onto a large dinner plate and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pinch off pieces of dough the size of Ping-Pong balls and roll them into rough balls. Roll each dough ball around in the salted oil until all sides are coated.
• Put half of the dough balls in the prepared pan, squishing them together. Spread half of the pizza sauce over the balls, then sprinkle with half of the pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheeses.
• Put the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake until the bread is puffed up and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil and continue to bake until the bread is cooked through in the middle, about 25 minutes more. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then use dry oven mitts or kitchen towels to carefully unmold. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan and serve hot with more pizza sauce for dipping. (Let your guests pull the bread apart!)

PEPPERONI PIZZA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. On a greased baking sheet, roll out dough into a 15x10-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, oil, parsley, oregano, garlic powder and pepper. Brush over the dough. , Sprinkle with the pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepper rings, green pepper and olives. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal and tuck ends under., Position loaf with seam side down; brush with egg whites. Do not let rise. Bake until golden brown and dough is cooked through, 35-40 minutes. Warm the pizza sauce; serve with sliced loaf., Freeze option: Freeze cooled unsliced pizza loaf in heavy-duty foil. To use, remove from freezer 30 minutes before reheating. Remove from foil and reheat loaf on a greased baking sheet in a preheated 325° oven until heated through. Serve as directed.

MOZZARELLA MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Combine beef, eggs, crumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, onion, salt and oregano, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 1-1/4 hours or until no pink remains; drain. , Spoon pizza sauce over loaf and top with mozzarella cheese slices. return to oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. , Meanwhile, if desired, saute green pepper and mushrooms in butter; arrange on top of meat loaf. Sprinkle with parsley if desire.