FILLINGS FOR RINGS AND TWISTS

I've seen recipes for braids, wreaths, rings and twists that combine a delicious filling baked inside a bread - it tastes great while also giving that wow presentation factor.  Another one is garbage bread - same thing, not as pretty presentation wise but still tastes great!  I decided to make a blog post that has the techniques for a few different bread options followed by several filling recipes so that you can pick your bread and mix and match with different fillings.

Pick your bread

The Ring:
Using a large round pizza stone and 2 cans of crescent rolls, lay the 16 triangles in a circle with points facing out.  Scoop about 1/4-1/2 cup of filling per triangle and bring tip of triangle up over filling and tuck it under in the center.  
Bake at 375* for 25 minutes
example: https://youdrivemecrafty.blogspot.com/2009/10/chicken-enchilada-ring.html

The Twist:
Using a sheet pan and 2 packages of french bread dough, lay french bread dough seem side up, cut each loaf half way down the center from end to end, spread loaves open to create a 4" wide well down the center.  Divide filling in half and place in each well.  Gather edges up over filling and pinch firmly to seal.  Roll loaves over so seem is facing down, cross both loaves making an X on your sheet pan, crisscross each end, cut 2 3" slits in the top of each loaf.
Bake at 375* for 30 minutes.
example: https://youdrivemecrafty.blogspot.com/2009/10/pepperoni-pizza-twist.html

The Wreath:
Using a large round pizza stone and 2 cans of crescent rolls, lay 8 triangles in a circle with points facing out, with the remaining 8 triangles match up the wide ends and pinch to seal.  Place a scoop of filling on each triangle.  Beginning in center, lift one dough triangle across mixture. Continue alternating with outer triangle, slightly overlapping to form wreath. Tuck last end under first.
Bake at 375* for 25 minutes
example: https://youdrivemecrafty.blogspot.com/2009/12/turkey-cranberry-wreath.html


Garbage Bread:
Using a sheet pan and 1 can of pizza dough, spread pizza dough into a long rectangle shape on sheet pan.  Spread filling in center of dough from about an inch from the edge, fold in the top and bottom of dough to help keep the filling tucked in.  Roll the dough like a pinwheel from one long side to the other.
Bake at 425* for 25 minutes. 
example: https://youdrivemecrafty.blogspot.com/2013/02/buffalo-chicken-garbage-bread.html


The Braid: 
Using a sheet pan and 2 cans of crescent rolls, lay crescent sheets sideways on a sheet pan, use a rolling pin to seal both sheets together and all perforations.  Cut 3" strips 1.5" apart on both sides.  Spread filling out in center.  Lift a strip of dough, twisting once and lay in center of filling, repeat with opposite strip.  Continue alternating strips to finish the braid. 
example: https://youdrivemecrafty.blogspot.com/2017/10/4-cheese-12-8-divided-14-dash-pepper-2.html

*with any of these bread options you may brush egg white over the top and sprinkle with seasonings for a more golden brown finish.

*When shredding your chicken for some of these recipes I like to use an electric mixer and then just add the rest of the ingredients to mix the filling really well.

Pick your filling

Chicken enchilada

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken
4.25oz can chopped black olives
1 cup shredded Monterey jack/Cheddar blend
4oz can chopped green chiles, undrained
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 plum tomato, chopped
1 lime
2/3 cup finely crushed tortilla chips

serve with sour cream and salsa

Taco

1 1/2 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1.25 oz package taco seasoning mix
1 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp water
shredded lettuce
1 plum tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
4.25oz can chopped black olives
serve with sour cream and salsa

Pepperoni Pizza

3.5oz package pepperoni slices, diced
4.25oz can chopped black olives
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1 garlic clove, pressed
serve with pizza sauce

Buffalo Chicken

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken
8oz cream cheese1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of Wing Sauce
1/2 cup of ranch or blue cheese dressing

Cranberry Turkey (Thanksgiving leftovers)

2 cups coarsely chopped turkey (or chicken)

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons grey poupon
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons parsley
1/2 cup dried cranberries 
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

BBQ Turkey

1 cup thinly sliced deli turkey breast

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 garlic clove, pressed

8oz cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons flour

Lemon Herb

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Chicken Bacon Ranch

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken

8oz shredded colby jack cheese

2 green onions, chopped

6 slices of cooked bacon, chopped

1 cup ranch dressing

Chicken and Broccoli

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken
¾ cup coarsely chopped broccoli
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dill
1 small garlic clove, pressed
⅛ tsp salt

Chicken Florentine

2 cups coarsely chopped chicken 

1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Ham Florentine

2 cups coarsely chopped ham 

1/4 cup green onions, chopped
10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 plum tomato, chopped 

Cheeseburger

1 pound lean beef, cooked and drained

1/4 onion, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup dill relish

3/4 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

5 slices american cheese, cut up and melted in mixture

serve with lettuce and tomatoes 

Ham and Eggs

4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
8 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
 Dash ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 teaspoon butter 
1 cup thinly sliced deli ham
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*melt butter in pan and scramble eggs with all ingredients except ham and cheddar cheese

Philly Cheesesteak 

1 1/2 cups cooked chopped steak

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced green pepper

8oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

4oz shredded provolone  cheese

Nacho Chicken
2 cups coarsely chopped chicken 
14oz can rotel
1 lb velveeta
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 jalapeño, minced
1 can black beans

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