Cheese_and_herb_star_bread

Adapted from:

https://food52.com/recipes/39536-cheese-and-herb-star-bread

Recipe has been altered a bit

For the dough

3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons lukewarm whole milk – estimate 232 grams

2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – 2 oz – 56g

2 teaspoons instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast)

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup potato flour – estimate 30 grams

For the filling

2 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

1/2 cup grated Pecorino cheese

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon salt - optional

· Add all of the dough ingredients to a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix to incorporate and then knead until you have a soft, smooth dough.

· Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough in it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until the dough is almost doubled in size.

· When the dough is ready, divide it into four equal pieces. Dough around 567 grams so each quarter is around 142 grams – weigh each time

· Roll each piece of dough out into a 10" round.

· Place the first circle of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the surface lightly with the beaten egg, leaving 1" space without egg around the edge.

· In a medium bowl, mix the dried herbs, optional salt, cheese,  garlic powder with the softened butter to form a well-mixed paste. The paste should weigh near 180 grams, so somewhere around 60 grams will be used at each step.

· Spread 1/3 of the herbed butter in a thin layer over the egg.

· Place the second circle of dough on top of the filling. Repeat with the egg wash, butter filling , top with the next circle of dough, repeat with the egg wash and butter filling, then top with the final circle of dough.

· Trim the edges of the circles if they aren't even. Place a 2" wide drinking glass, biscuit cutter, or other circular object in the center of the top circle of dough.

· Using a very sharp knife, cut through the dough from the outer edge to the edge of the circular object in the center. Cut sixteen equal slices.

· Take two slices of dough and twist them away from each other twice. Repeat around the entire circle. Take each pair of twisted slices and press the ends together firmly to seal the dough.

· Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 15 minutes, while you preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

· Brush the top of the loaf with beaten egg and bake it for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

· Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.