Greek New Year's Bread Recipe
Ingredients
| All purpose flour | 6 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Active dry yeast | 2 | |
| Lemon peel | 1 1/2 Teaspoon, grated | |
| Aniseed | 1 Teaspoon, crushed | |
| Milk | 1 1/2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Butter/Margarine | 6 Tablespoon | |
| Sugar | 1/3 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Eggs | 3 | |
| 1 slightly beaten egg yolk | ||
| Sesame seed | 2 Tablespoon | |
Directions
In large mixer bowl combine 2 cups of the flour, yeast, peel, and aniseed.
Heat milk, butter, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt till warm (115-120°), stirring constantly to melt butter.
Add to dry mixture; add the 3 eggs.
Beat at low speed with mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping bowl.
Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
By hand, stir in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface till smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes).
Shape into ball.
Place in greased bowl; turn once.
Cover; let rise till double (1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Punch down; divide in thirds.
Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Shape two parts in flat, 8-inch round loaves.
Place in two greased 9x1 1/2-inch round baking pans.
Divide third part in half; shape into two 18-inch strands.
Twist each like a rope and seal ends to form two circles; place one atop each loaf.
Combine yolk and 1 tablespoon water; brush on loaves.
Sprinkle with sesame seed.
Let rise till double (30 to 45 minutes).
Bake at 375° about 25 minutes.
Remove; cool.
Heat milk, butter, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt till warm (115-120°), stirring constantly to melt butter.
Add to dry mixture; add the 3 eggs.
Beat at low speed with mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping bowl.
Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
By hand, stir in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface till smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes).
Shape into ball.
Place in greased bowl; turn once.
Cover; let rise till double (1 to 1 1/2 hours).
Punch down; divide in thirds.
Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Shape two parts in flat, 8-inch round loaves.
Place in two greased 9x1 1/2-inch round baking pans.
Divide third part in half; shape into two 18-inch strands.
Twist each like a rope and seal ends to form two circles; place one atop each loaf.
Combine yolk and 1 tablespoon water; brush on loaves.
Sprinkle with sesame seed.
Let rise till double (30 to 45 minutes).
Bake at 375° about 25 minutes.
Remove; cool.
Chef
