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Foodgeek: |
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Rating: |
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Servings: |
2 loaves |
Prep. Time: |
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Total Time: |
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Ingredients: |
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3 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1-1/2 cups plus 1 tsp. sugar
7 to 8 cups plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp. salt
5 eggs
1-1/2 cups milk, scalded and cooled
1 tsp. masticha flavoring* or
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup slivered, blanched almonds
1/2 cup white sultanas
1 tsp. lemon peel, grated
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
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Directions:
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Combine yeast, warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Let stand in a warm place until mixture bubbles and foams, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat together 4 eggs, 1-1/2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, cooled milk, and yeast mixture. Add 3 cups of flour and masticha or vanilla extract. Add melted butter, almonds, sultanas, and lemon peel. Continue to add flour and knead well about 5 minutes, or until dough is quite stiff but elastic. Place in greased bowl. Cover first with plastic wrap and then with a damp towel. Let dough rise in a warm place until double in bulk. Punch down and turn over in bowl. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes more. Shape dough into 6 ropes and braid 3 at a time. Place braids on a lightly greased cookie sheet and let rise for 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Beat remaining egg and brush each braid with it. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
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This is the traditional bread baked for the Christmas holiday in various parts of Greece. Simple dense bread - the smell of it baking it wonderful...
Variation: 1 cup mixed candied fruit can be added with the almonds.
* Masticha is a flavoring made from the sap of the mastichodendro bush, which grows only on the island of Chios.
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