Spinach-pecan Braided Bread

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (8 ounce) container cream cheese with chives
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed drained
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• salt and pepper
• 16 ounces loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• german mustard (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in skillet and saute' onions until soft. turn off heat and stir in cream cheese, spinach, pecans, and seasonings.
• 2 on a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a 9" x 12" rectangle. carefully transfer to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. .
• 3 spread filling mixture in a 3" line down the center of the dough, to within 1" of ends. make 3" cuts on the diagonal on either side of filling, at 1" intervals. moisten the ends of each strip, and alternately fold strips at an angle across filling, tucking ends in well under the strip below, to form a "braid" effect.
• 4 let rise in warm place for about 30 minutes. brush surface with melted butter and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. serve with german-style mustard if desired.