MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.04
 
       Title: Greek Tsoureki (Easter Bread)
  Categories: Ethnic
       Yield: 2 servings
 
            Karen Mintzias
       1 c  Milk
     1/2 c  Sweet butter
       1 pk Active dry yeast
     1/2 c  Granulated sugar
       1 ts Salt
       2    Eggs; beaten
       5 tb Orange juice
       1 tb Grated orange rind
   5 1/2 c  Sifted flour
            Butter; melted
            Red-dyed, hard-boiled eggs
     1/4 c  Slivered almonds
       2 tb Granulated sugar
 
   In a small saucepan, combine the milk and butter over medium heat and
   scald.  Stir until the butter melts, then pour into a mixing bowl.
   When lukewarm, sprinkle in the yeast, and with fingers or a heavy
   spoon gradually stir in the 1/2 cup sugar until it dissolves.  Then
   add the salt, eggs 3 tablespoons of the orange juice, and the orange
   rind, stirring continuously, and gradually add half the flour until
   the mixture begins to bubble.  Continue adding flour gradually by
   hand; the dough will be sticky, but should not be stiff.  Flour your
   fingers lightly and knead for 15 minutes.  Place the dough in a large
   buttered bowl, brush the dough with melted butter, cover, and place
   in a warm area to rise until doubled in bulk (approximately 2 to 3
   hours).
      Punch the dough down and divide into 2 parts.  Divide each half
   into 3 parts and roll each into a long rope about 10″ x 2“.  Braid
   the three ropes together; pinch to seal the ends if leaving long, or
   join together to form a long round loaf (see note below).  Repeat
   with the other half of the dough to make a second tsoureki.  Place in
   large baking pans or on a cookie sheet, cover, and let rise until
   doubled in bulk (approx. 1 1/2 hours).
      Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by mixing the remaining orange juice,
   remaining sugar, and the almonds in a small bowl.  Bake the tsourekia
   in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and with a
   pastry brush glaze the tops and sides of loaves.  Return to the oven
   and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the color is a rich and
   shiny chestnut.
      Note:  If using the Easter eggs, tuck them into the center when you
   shape the loaves, leave until loaves have doubled and bake them with
   the loaf.  After baking, though lovely, the eggs will be inedible.
   Also in some provinces, the tsoureki is formed with a large braid and
   a smaller one over it, making a much larger loaf requiring a longer
   baking time. From ”The Food of Greece" by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles.
  
   Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
   RePosted 3-08-95 Annette Johnsen
 
 MMMMM

Plain Text Version of This Recipe for Printing or Saving