Taste of Louisiana Spiced Bread Braid

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika, smoked
• 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons fast rising yeast

Glaze

• 1 egg, mixed

Directions

1. 1

   Place water, oil, paste and cheese in bread machine. Top with flour, place the spices and garlic in one corner, salt and sugar in separate corners. Make a hole in the center and place the yeast.

2. 2

   Set machine to dough cycle and press start.

3. 3

   Lightly spray baking pan.

4. 4

   When dough cycle has finished turn out on to a flour surface.

5. 5

   Divide into 3 pieces making a rope of each.

6. 6

   Place each next to each other. Start at center and braid to end and tuck ends under.

7. 7

   Turn dough around and braid the remaining ropes and tucks ends under.

8. 8

   Place the bread on the oiled pan cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes.

9. 9

   Meanwhile preheat oven to 400 degrees.

10. 10

    Remove wrap and glaze the bread with the egg.

11. 11

    Bake for 30 minutes.