Vasilopeta (greek new years bread)
1 loaf
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | cups | Flour, sifted |
| ½ | cup | Milk, lukewarm |
| ½ | pounds | Butter, melted |
| 6 | eaches | Egg, slightly beaten |
| 2 | packs | Yeast |
| 2 | cups | Sugar |
| ½ | teaspoon | Salt |
| 1 | teaspoon | Cinnamon, ground |
| ½ | teaspoon | Nutmeg, ground |
| 1 | tablespoon | Orange peel, grated |
| Almonds, blanched | ||
| Sesame seed | ||
| 1 | each | Egg yolk |
| Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Sift 5 cups of the flour into a | ||
| large | Bowl; make a well in the center of the flour. Combine milk, yeast | |
| And water, melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange | ||
| Peel and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon, until well blended. Work | ||
| These ingredients into the flour with your hands until thoroughly | ||
| Blended. Place dough on a lightly floured board, and knead until the | ||
| Dough is smooth and firm, adding more flour as necessary. Place dough in | ||
| A greased bowl, brush it with melted butter, cover, and allow to rise in | ||
| A warm place for 2 hours. Knead again lightly on a floured board; shape | ||
| Dough into a round loaf, bury a silver coin in the dough, place on a | ||
| Greased baking sheet, cover with a towel, and allow to rise again in a warm place for 1 hour. | ||
| (Note: the single, large loaf is traditional, but | ||
| If you wish to make 2 smaller loaves, separate dough in 2 sections, and | ||
| Follow the same process as for the single loaf.) When dough is risen the | ||
| Second time, brush with egg yolk, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds, | ||
| And arrange the almonds to form the number of the new year. Bake at 350 | ||
| Degrees for 1 hour. | ||
Directions
SERVINGS
SOURCE: GREEK COOKING FOR TH
FROM: SALLIE KREBS
This traditional bread or cake has a special ceremony. The head of the house slices the bread at midnight, as the New Year rings in, and the finder of the buried coin shall be blessed with good fortune. This bread keeps a long time and is excellent toasted with your morning coffee.
Submitted By SALLIE KREBS On 12-04-94