Sausage 'N Pepper Braid - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
3/4 c. chopped red pepper
1 1/4 c. warm water
2 pkg. Fleischmann's active dry yeast
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 c. margarine, softened
2 eggs (at room temperature)
4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (about)
1 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Brown sausage and cook pepper until done, stirring to break up meat; drain.
Cool.
Measure warm water into large warm bowl. Stir in yeast until dissolved.
Add sugar, salt, seasoning, margarine, 1 egg and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth.
Stir in enough flour to make soft dough.
Knead 8 to 10 minutes.
Place in greased bowl; turn to grease top.
Cover; let rise until double, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down; divide into 6 pieces.
Roll each into 14 x 4-inch strips.
Stir cheese into sausage; spoon down center of each strip.
Pinch long edges together to form 14-inch ropes; seal.
Braid 3 ropes together; seal.
Repeat.
Place on greased baking sheet, cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Beat remaining egg and brush on loaves.
Bake at 400\u00b0 about 25 minutes.
Serve warm.
Refrigerate leftovers.