Greek Easter Bread Recipe
Ingredients
| Warm milk | 3/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Sugar | 1/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| 2 pkgs. active dry yeast | ||
| All purpose flour | 2/3 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Salt | 1 Pinch | |
| Grated peel of 1 orange | ||
| Warm water | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Sesame seeds | 1/3 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| 5 eggs, hard-cooked | ||
| Red food coloring | ||
| Egg yolk | 1 , beaten | |
Directions
Put warm milk into a medium bowl; stir in 1 teaspoon sugar.
Sprinkle yeast over milk mixture.
Let stand 5 minutes or until the surface is frothy.
Stir gently to moisten any dry particles remaining on top.
Sift in 1 cup (125 g) flour and remaining sugar.
Stir well.
Cover and let stand in a warm place overnight.
Oil a baking sheet.
Sift remaining flour and salt into a large bowl.
Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and orange peel.
Gradually stir in water; mix to a dough.
On a floured surface, knead dough at least 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Shape two-thirds of dough into a long loaf 2 inches (5 cm) high.
Place on oiled baking sheet.
Make 2 thin rolls the length of the loaf from remaining dough.
Roll in sesame seeds; twist and place around loaf.
Brush eggs with red food coloring; let dry.
Press dried eggs into loaf in an upright position.
Brush loaf with egg yolk; sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Cover and let stand in a warm place 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped on underside.
Cool on a rack.
Sprinkle yeast over milk mixture.
Let stand 5 minutes or until the surface is frothy.
Stir gently to moisten any dry particles remaining on top.
Sift in 1 cup (125 g) flour and remaining sugar.
Stir well.
Cover and let stand in a warm place overnight.
Oil a baking sheet.
Sift remaining flour and salt into a large bowl.
Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and orange peel.
Gradually stir in water; mix to a dough.
On a floured surface, knead dough at least 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Shape two-thirds of dough into a long loaf 2 inches (5 cm) high.
Place on oiled baking sheet.
Make 2 thin rolls the length of the loaf from remaining dough.
Roll in sesame seeds; twist and place around loaf.
Brush eggs with red food coloring; let dry.
Press dried eggs into loaf in an upright position.
Brush loaf with egg yolk; sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Cover and let stand in a warm place 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped on underside.
Cool on a rack.
Chef
