Asiago Bread

From Betty Crocker.

3-1/2 to 3-3/4 C. bread flour
1 tsp. sugar
1 pkg. regular or quick active dry yeast (2-1/4 tsp.)
1-1/4 C. very warm water (120-130 degrees)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp.dried rosemary
1 tsp. salt
1 C. shredded Asiago cheese
1/4 C. shredded Asiago cheese

Mix 1-1/2 C. of the flour, the sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water. Beat with wire whisk on low speed one minute, scraping bowl frequently. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand about one hour or until bubbly.

Stir in oil, rosemary, and salt. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms. Let stand 15 minutes.

Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 5-10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Knead in one cup cheese. Place dough in large bowl greased with shortening, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 45-60 minutes or until double. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Gently shape into football-shaped loaf, about 12 inches long, by stretching sides of dough downward to make a smooth top. Place loaf with smooth side up on parchment-line cookie sheet. Coat loaf generously with flour. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 45-60 minutes or until almost double.

Place square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches, on bottom rack of oven; add hot water to pan until about 1/2 inch from the top. Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Spray loaf with cool water; sprinkle with flour. Carefully cut 1/2-inch-deep slash lengthwise down center of loaf with sharp serrated knife. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese into slash.

Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees. Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until loaf is deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool.

Note: If you do not have parchment paper, lightly grease cookie sheet with shortening so the loaf does not stick to the pan.