Ingredients

• 3/4  cup chopped green or red sweet pepper (1 medium)
• 1/2  cup chopped carrot
• 1  tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1  cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1  3 ounce package cream cheese or cream cheese with chives
•   1/2 of a 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
•   2 ounces thinly sliced Canadian-style bacon, cooked ham, or pepperoni, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1/4  cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1  teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
• 1  16-ounce loaf frozen white bread dough, thawed
•   Milk
•   Sesame seeds or grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook and stir sweet pepper and carrot in hot butter or margarine for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook and stir about 2 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat. Stir in cream cheese, spinach, meat, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Carefully transfer to a greased baking sheet. Spread the filling lengthwise in a 3-inch-wide strip down the center of rectangle to within 1 inch of the ends.

3. On both long sides, make 3-inch cuts from the edges toward the center at 1-inch intervals. Moisten the end of each dough strip. Starting at one end, alternately fold opposite strips of dough at an angle across filling. Slightly press moistened ends together in center to seal. Cover and let rise in a warm place unitl nearly double (about 30 minutes).

4. Lightly brush loaf with milk. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds or Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Using a serrated knife, cut into slices. Makes 12 slices.