Stuffed Braided Bread | Criss Cross Bread

Hi foodies,

Stuffed braided bread is a form of criss cross bread which has a filling of vegetables and cheese. If you're looking for an easy appetizer for entertaining your family or friends, then look no more! This recipe is a sure answer to it.

This is a healthy as well as yummy snack. Make your own fancy stuffed bread at home with a flavourful filling of your choice. You must have already seen the picture below in my first post, so let me share its recipe with you right away.

Stuffed Braided Bread

Stuffed Braided Bread Recipe:

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serves: 2-3 people

Ingredients:

For the bread-

2 cups all purpose flour (maida)

4 tbsp water (luke warm)

1 tsp yeast

1/2 tsp sugar

Milk (according to the dough)

1 tbsp butter

Sesame seeds 

Salt as per taste

For the filling-

3 tbsp oil

1 cup onions (finely chopped)

1/2 cup carrot (finely chopped)

1 cup capsicum (finely chopped)

1 tbsp garlic (finely chopped)

1/2 cup cheese (grated)

1 tsp soya sauce

1 tsp chilli sauce

1 tsp chilli flakes

Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Mix sugar, yeast and water in a bowl. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes, so that that the yeast gets activated.

2. Once the yeast is activated, mix it well with flour, salt and milk. Knead the dough for 10 minutes and set it aside.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in another pan and add garlic to it. Once they are slightly brown, add the other vegetables, soya sauce, chilli sauce, chilli flakes and salt to it. Cook this mix for 3 minutes and turn off the flame.

4. After 20 minutes, the dough would have risen. Knead again for 2 minutes.

5. Divide the dough into 2 halves and then start rolling the dough into an oval shape.

6. After rolling it, cut the sides of the dough in the form of fish gills, as shown in the picture below.

Fish gill cuts and veggie filling

7. Fill the centre with the mixture made in Step 3. Top it with grated cheese.

8. Fold the topmost part of the braid inside. Fold the first right gill in and then the first left gill over it. Repeat this step until the end of the oval, to give it a criss cross shape.

9. After completing the braid, brush a little butter and sesame seeds over it. Set it aside for 5 minutes. Follow the same process with the other half of the dough of Step 5.

10. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees. Then bake for 25 minutes at 180 degrees and your stuffed braided breads will be ready!

Ready to serve!

Notes-

1. After completing Step 2, cover the dough with a damp cloth, to prevent drying out.

2. You can substitute yeast with equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda (so if a recipe calls for 1 tsp of yeast, you can use 1/2 tsp of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of baking soda).

3. It will stay fresh for 1-2 days (when refrigerated).

This is a great centre-piece for lunch or dinner and can be accompanied by a fresh salad to make a complete meal. This recipe was adapted from my friend Yashasvi. I modified her recipe slightly. Do check out her Instagram handle (chefyashu) for amazing baking recipes and photographs.

At Savour with Sakshi, I'll keep sharing such savoury dishes and recipes with you all. So glad that you all are taking care of your immunity. Stay tuned for more.

Happy cooking!

Yours foodly,

Sakshi.