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If you get something new, you have to break it in, right?  We are so grateful that Aunt Alisa got a new Dutch oven, because this bread is as delicious as it is beautiful.  This bread has a wonderfully crunchy crust and a dense texture that can comfort a tired body.  We’re looking forward to Aunt Alisa getting another new kitchen tool that she wants to test.

 

Ingredients
  • 3½ cups flour, plus more
  • 2½ cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
  • 2 jalapenos, deseeded and diced
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced into rings

 

Instructions
  • Combine and stir the flour, 2 cups of cheddar, the chopped jalapenos, and salt.
  • In another bowl combine warm water and yeast.
  • Pour the flour mixture on the top of the water mixture and stir until the dough comes together.
  • Fold the dough around the edges of the bowl by scraping the sides and folding it towards the center while rotating the bowl. Do this 8 times.
  • Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and rest in a warm place for an hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
  • Fold the dough towards the center 8 more times, cover, and let rest for 30 more minutes.
  • Place the Dutch and lid in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • After flouring your hands, place dough on a floured surface. Fold in the edges 8 times then flip the dough onto parchment paper.
  • Brush the top of the bread with olive oil so that the cheese sticks. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar evenly onto the top of the dough.
  • Get a sharp knife and score the top of the dough by making a large ‘x.’ Then, arrange jalapenos on top making sure to slightly press them into the dough. (This ensures that they don’t fall off when baking.)
  • Remove the preheated Dutch oven from the oven then use the parchment paper to lift the dough and place it inside.
  • Bake with the lid on for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 20 minutes, or until it is golden on top.
  • Let the bread cool on a wire rack without parchment paper, then wait at least an hour to slice.