COUNTRY HAM BREAD

Country Ham Bread image

I often serve wedges of this hearty bread warm from the oven with my zesty herb butter and a simple tossed salad for dinner. My husband and teenage son just love it!-Sue Stamper, Grayson, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 loaves (2/3 cup butter).

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 cups warm buttermilk (110° to 115°)
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 to 2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornmeal, divided
5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups ground fully cooked ham
HERB BUTTER:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup chopped chives
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Dash pepper

Steps:

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the buttermilk, egg, sugar, butter, pepper, salt, cayenne, 1 cup cornmeal and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Beat in ham. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a round loaf. Sprinkle two greased 9-in. round baking pans with remaining cornmeal. Place loaves in prepared pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks., In a small bowl, beat the butter, chives, parsley, lemon juice and pepper. Serve with bread. Store ham bread and herb butter in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 32mg cholesterol, Sodium 302mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.