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Tsoureki Easter Bread with Dyed Easter Eggs :
A Recipe |
 |
- 1 cup milk
- 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 cups flour, divided
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 tablespoon yeast
- 3 eggs & 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 8 dyed hard boiled eggs |
Prepare
the mix:
- heat milk to very warm & pour into electric mixer
bowl
- whisk in 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar & yeast until well
mixed
- detach from mixer, cover with plastic wrap & let
stand
in
a warm, draft-free place until bubbly for approx. 30 mins
- fit mixer with a dough hook & add eggs, one at a
time to
yeast
mixture
- add another 1 cup of flour, orange zest & salt
- add softened butter vanilla & orange juice
- mix well, then gradually add enough of the remaining
flour
to
form a soft, sticky dough, kneading until smooth
- coat a bowl with vegetable oil & turn dough
- cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel &
allow
it
rise in a clean, draft-free place, until double in size
(approximately
1-1/2 hours)
Prepare the oven:
- pre-heat oven to 400° F
- line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
Braid
the dough:
- divide the dough into thirds, roll each third into a
long
rope
then braid those ropes, then twist the whole braid
into
a ring.
Tuck the dyed hard boiled
eggs, wide or heavy side down,
between
the strands of the braid, at even intervals
around
the circle
Finishing touches:
- mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water
- brush loaves with egg mixture & bake for 15 minutes
- lower heat to 350° F & bake for about 20 minutes
more or
until
golden brown
- remove from oven & cool for 5 minutes before removing
to
a wire rack to cool completely |
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| Greek Easter Eggs |
| Traditionally, Greek Easter eggs are coloured
red.
Place the eggs in a pot in lukewarm water. When the
water starts to boil, lower temperature & simmer
for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare red dye, according to the
directions of the package (dye for Easter eggs can
be purchased at any Greek shop or local supermarket).
Place boiled eggs one at a time into the dye. Simmer
for another 5 minutes or so. Remove the egg from the
dye and allow to drain. Rub eggs with soft cloth,
dipped in some olive oil, to make them shine. Wipe
off the excess olive oil with paper towels. Place
eggs in any shaped platter & decorate center of
dining room table.
Traditionally, cracking the eggs is done with family
and friends. A family member will say 'Christos Anesti',
('Christ has risen') to which one replies 'Alithos
anesti' ('Truly He has risen'). The person with the
uncracked egg enjoys good luck. |
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