Taco Braid

You can make your own bread dough for this recipe, or go to Macey's or any other grocery store bakery and ask them for a loaf of UNCOOKED french bread. Voila! You have just skipped a major part of the recipe. It's like a miracle. You don't have to make the bread! Saves you at least an hour and only costs $1.19.

Taco Braid Filling (from The Girl Who Ate Everything)
4 oz of Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Salsa
1/2 lb ground turkey, beef or chicken seasoned and cooked with a Taco seasoning mix (I used 1 lb of ground turkey)
1 can (15oz) of black beans (drained)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
olive oil
garlic salt
**bread dough of loaf of uncooked french bread from grocery

1. Spray counter and hands with cooking spray and knead for a few seconds to form smooth ball.
2. Roll dough into a 15-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased cookie sheet. It's very important to place the dough on the cookie sheet before you fill it because once you fill it, it will be too heavy to move onto the cookie sheet. Spread cream cheese lengthwise down center third of rectangle, salsa, then seasoned meat and black beans. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. On each long side, cut 1 inch wide strips about 2-1/2-inches into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling.
4. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
5. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack or cutting board with 2 spatulas.