GIANT STUFFED PEPPERONI AND CHEESE BREAD
Makes 1 loaf.
Note: This won first place for Julie Richardson of Vadnais Heights in the Fleischmann's Yeast "Bake for the Cure" contest.
• 11/2 tsp. active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp. honey or sugar
• 1 c. warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 c. flour
• 2 tsp. dried basil leaves
• 1 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/2 (3.5 oz.) pkg. pepperoni slices (about 50 thin slices, each 1 in. in size)
• 1/3 lb. cheese (Cheddar, pepper jack and/or mozzarella), cubed (about 1 c. each)
Directions
Soften together yeast, honey and warm water. Add salt and flour. Knead 10 to 15 minutes until soft dough forms. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour. Punch down and roll out into a rectangle 9- by 15 inches.
Sprinkle basil and garlic salt evenly over dough. Lay the pepperoni slices on dough and spread cheese cubes on top. Along the long side of the rectangle, roll up jelly-roll style. Twist into preferred shape. Let rise another 30 minutes on greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bread sounds hollow when tapped. Grease lightly with olive oil.
SWEET AND SAVORY COCKTAIL MEATBALLS
Makes 50 cocktail-sized meatballs.
Note: This won first place for Leigh Walter of Burnsville in the "Make It With Malt-O-Meal" contest.
bull; 11/2 c. crushed Malt-O-Meal Honey & Oat Blenders
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 2 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 (16-oz.) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 (12-oz.) bottle chili sauce
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
Directions
Mix the ground pork and beef with the egg yolks. Add salt, pepper, onion flakes, ketchup and crushed honey oat blenders. Mix by hand until combined.
Form into miniature meatballs either by hand or with a small cookie scoop or tablespoon. (You can refrigerate meatballs up to 2 days, or freeze and bake later.)
In a large saucepan, melt the cranberry sauce over medium-low heat. Add the chili sauce, brown sugar and lemon juice, and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Place the meatballs in a 9- by 13-inch pan, and pour the sauce over the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Place the meatballs and sauce in a bowl or giant cocktail glass to serve.
