Stromboli

On a cold and wintry day, this recipe will warm you up. I always try to make this at least once a year when my family is home visiting for the holidays. It starts with everyone waiting for the first loaf to come out of the oven. It takes 30 minutes for it to bake! It seems like an eternity, smelling the aromas, getting hungrier by the minute. Finally, it is ready, and the first loaf is always eaten before the second one comes out. The next 4 loaves I make go into the refrigerator for everyone to microwave at their leisure in the days to come. I always make 5 loaves. That way, we all get our fill, and everyone can take a little bit of home with them when they leave.

Stromboli:

• 8 oz. pepperoni
• 8 oz. grated or sliced Mozzarella cheese
• 1 frozen bread dough loaf
• flour

About 4-5 hours before baking Stromboli, thaw out bread dough according to package directions. Do not let dough rise, you just want it completely thawed and room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350°. On a large floured surface, coat both sides of dough with flour and roll out with a rolling pin. Try to stretch more in width than in length. It will take strong arms, and it is a workout. You will find the dough will have memory, but it will eventually give. You will want dough to be about 10 in. x 20 in. It does not have to be exact. Layer grated or sliced cheese over top of dough leaving about a 1" border without cheese on top and sides. Then, layer pepperoni in a single layer on top of cheese. Starting from bottom, slowly fold over about 1" across tucking in cheese and pepperoni. Keep rolling up from bottom until all is rolled up like a cinnamon bun. Then wet edges inside and pinch dough together to seal. Pull stromboli into a horseshoe shape so that it will fit on a cookie sheet. Make sure that your cookie sheet has sides because sometimes the grease from the pepperoni leaks through the dough. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Don't worry if some of the loaf pulls apart, it just means you did not seal your edges well, it will still taste delicious. Remove from cookie sheet if grease has leaked out, lay dough onto paper towels to absorb grease. Cool for 5 minutes, cut into 1" slices and serve immediately. If saving for later, use just cool dough, then cut in half and wrap in foil to refrigerate. When ready to serve, cut into 1" slices and microwave slices for a short time.

It is much cheaper to buy freshly sliced pepperoni and mozzarella cheese from the deli department rather than buying prepackaged. Just ask them to wrap it in 8 oz. portions.