Khachapuri is a cheesebread recipe from the country of Georgia that is eaten there with the same delight as pizza in the United States.  Of all the things that my mother baked when I was a kid, this is one of my favorites.

Ingredients:

1. 1 ¼ c Milk
2. Sugar (½ tsp + 1 tbsp)
3. 2 Packages Dry Yeast
4. 4 ½ c Flour
5. 2 tsp salt
6. 1 Stick (1/2 c) + 2 tbsp. of Softened Butter (Reserve the Wrappers)
7. ~1 lb Grated Muenster Cheese
8. 1 Beaten Egg

Instructions:

1. First, bring the milk to room temperature in a small bowl. A good way to do this without making it too hot is to warm the milk bowl in a larger bowl of hot tap water. 
2. When the milk is lukewarm, add ½ tsp sugar and the yeast. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the yeast to bloom, which should take about 5-10 minutes.  If it does not bloom in this time, try refreshing the water bowl with more hot tap water, as the milk is probably still too cold.
3. Combine flour, salt, and 1 tbsp sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add yeast mixture and butter, and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon.  When it becomes hard to stir, use your hands to mix and knead the dough into a smooth, even consistency.
4. Form the dough into a ball and place on a floured surface. Knead roughly for ten minutes.  You may add extra flour or water at this point if the dough is too crumbly or sticky to get a good, firm consistency.
5. When done kneading, grease a large bowl with the butter wrapper and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel.  Let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour in a warm place.  We set ours next to the video game consul, which heats the entire room when it is turned on.
6. After the dough is risen, punch it. Then re-cover with plastic wrap and towel and return it to its warm spot to rise for 30-40 minutes.
7. While the dough is rising, knead together the grated cheese, beaten egg, and 2 tbsp. softened butter with your hands into a ball. Use the butter wrapper to grease a 9” round cake pan.  Preheat oven to 375°
8. Split the dough in half and roll out into two 12” rounds. Place one in the greased cake pan, and the cheese ball on top of that.  Place the second 12” round on top.  Then seal the two rounds together around the cheese ball.
9. Bake at 375°F for 50-60 minutes. When finished, allow to cool for at least one hour before digging in.

Enjoy!