Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread

It's game day! Ohio State could really use a W today. So off to Treena's we go. We always show up with a dish and some drinks to share with everyone. I love potlucks, they make entertaining so much easier.

Today I'm making Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread from The Pastry Affair. Another PIN and a delicious looking one at that. I like taking pull-apart breads or dips when I'm going to a snack all day environment. They are so easy to just take a little of and then come back for more.

I went through my closet this morning trying to figure out which OSU shirt I was going to wear. To my dismay none of my shirts fit me any more. They were all bought pre-mommy and let's just say I haven't really lost the baby weight from Thing 2 yet.

But, I had a bright idea. I'm going to take one of the shirts and cut it up. It's all red with the OSU fight song on the back. I figure I will rip the seams, cut it into a color block and sew it onto a grey or white shirt that fits me. The edges of the red shirt can curl up a little (no biggie) and I don't loose one of my favorite football shirts. I'll let you know how it turns out. I want to make it happen before the Michigan game next month. I just need to find a sewing machine I can take over for a day. Mom...?

Wasn't I talking about something? Oh yeah, food! I can smell the bread in the oven. My second favorite thing about food, besides eating it, is the way your house smells. Mmmm.



Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread
from The Pastry Affair

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 square packet)
1 1/3 cups barely warm water
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour (or bread) flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the yeast and water. Let sit 5 minutes until yeast is foamy. Mix in the olive oil, salt and flour. 
2. If you have a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead the dough for 5-6 minutes, or until elastic. If you are doing this by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until dough is elastic, 7-10 minutes. 
3. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. 
4. Allow to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until dough is doubled in size.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, parsley flakes, and minced garlic. Set aside.
6. Punch down the dough. 
7. Tear off small pieces of dough (roughly the size of the bowl of a medium spoon), coat in the butter mixture, and place in the bottom of a bundt pan. Repeat this process until you have one layer of dough balls. 
8. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. 
9. Continue layering the dough balls and cheese until you have 3 layers. Cover the pan with a clean towel and allow to sit until dough has doubled in size, 20-30 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bread is golden brown. Serve hot with a side of marinara or tomato sauce.