Andouille Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 1 envelope (1/4-ounce) dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F)
• 6 cups bleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 pound ground andouille, kielbasa, or Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound white Cheddar, grated
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Essence, recipe follows

Directions

Combine the yeast, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the water. With the mixer on low speed, beat the mixture for about 4 minutes to dissolve the yeast. If the yeast mixture doesn't begin to foam after a few minutes, it means it's not active and will have to be replaced.

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the cornmeal, and the salt. Add this to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until it lightly comes together, then increase the speed to medium and beat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl, forms a ball, and climbs slightly up the dough hook.

Remove the dough from the bowl. Coat the dough with the remaining teaspoon of vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, set in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Remove from the heat and drain on a paper-lined plate. Set aside and cool to room temperature. Remove the dough from the bowl and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, gently roll and form it into a narrow loaf about 24 inches long. Cut the dough into 18 equal pieces, (each about 2 1/2 ounces). With the palm of your hand, roll the portions on a lightly floured surface to form small round rolls.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons cornmeal. Place the rolls about 1-inch apart on the paper. Using a pointed knife, make a slit in the top of each roll. With your thumb and forefinger, spread the dough open to make a small cavity about 1-inch deep and 2 inches wide. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the cheese into each cavity, then top with 1 tablespoon of the sausage, pressing the mixture gently into the cavity. Pinch the dough together to close the cavity. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Deep-fry the stuffed breads, a couple at a time, in the hot oil for about 3 minutes, turning them with a metal spoon to brown them evenly. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-lined plate. Season the stuffed bread with Essence. Serve warm.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow and Co., 1993.