Festive bread to brighten the holiday table with red, white and green.

I’ve partnered with Life’s Simple Ingredients to bring you this delicious show stopping holiday bread. It is also baked with a mixture of wholesome whole wheat and all-purpose flour to keep some extra nutrition packed in.

What I love most about this recipe is that you can really be as adventurous as you want with the flavours. To make a sweet version, simply add an extra 1/2 cup of sugar to the dough mixture.

Savory Holiday Star Bread
with Roasted Red Peppers, Basil Pesto, Asiago Cheese and Pistachios

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 8g package of active dry yeast

• ¾ cup milk, plus ¼ cup warm milk

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 egg at room temperature, plus 1 egg for brushing

• ¼ cup butter, softened

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ cup basil pesto (prepared or homemade)

• ¼ cup chopped pistachios

• ¾ cup grated Asiago cheese

• ½ cup pureed roasted red peppers (prepared or homemade) Note: if your puree has too much liquid, strain before using so the texture is more of a loose paste)

Heat ¼ cup milk in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Add yeast and sugar, let stand for 10 minutes. In large bowl, add the flour, egg, butter, ¾ cup milk, salt and yeast mixture. Combine until a sticky ball forms. Turn onto counter and knead for 6-8 minutes, or until the dough becomes soft and elastic. Place into a large lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let rise for 1 hour until dough has doubled in size.

On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into four equal parts. Shape into four balls and cover for another 10-15 minutes. 

Roll one ball a time into a 10-inch circle. Place dough on parchment paper lined pizza pan or large baking sheet. Spread the red pepper paste on the dough, leaving half-an-inch space from the edge. Roll out a second ball, layer onto of the first and sprinkle with cheese and pistachios. Roll out third ball, layer with basil pesto. Roll out fourth ball and place on top.

Using a cup as a guide, place in the centre of the dough. Cut the dough into four equal parts, stopping at the edge of the cup. Cut each quarter section twice more so you are left with 12 slices (this will make a 6 point star, if you’d like a 8 point star, cut each quarter into four slices). Pick up two slices (one in each hand) and twist the strands outwards twice and pinch the two twists closed together. Repeat until all slices have been twisted and combined.   

Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush bread with beaten egg, sprinkle with salt and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Some sweet alternatives - Cinnamon Star and Hazelnut Nutella.