Greek Bread Food

GREEK EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• Pour 1/3 cup water that is hot to the touch (about 110 degrees F) into the bowl of a stand mixer. Gently whisk in the yeast, 1 tablespoon of the flour and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Cover with a towel and set aside until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the temperature of the room).
• Meanwhile, heat the milk in small saucepan over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the edges, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, remaining sugar and salt. Set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.
• Using the paddle attachment, stir the milk mixture into the yeast mixture. Stir in the 2 beaten eggs. Gradually mix in the remaining flour, fennel seed and almond extract, and beat until a soft dough forms. Increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, about 5 minutes (the dough will be sticky).
• Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is as smooth as a baby's bottom, about 5 minutes.
• Put in a lightly buttered bowl, cover and place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down the dough.
• Lightly flour a work surface. Place the dough on the surface and cut into three equal parts. Gently roll out each piece into a 16-inch-long rope. Line a wide-lipped cookie sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the ropes to the prepared sheet. Press the ropes together at one end and braid loosely. Arrange the braid in a circle. Press the ends of the dough together. Gently stretch the circle to make it 10 inches across and the hole in the middle 3 1/2 inches across. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Rub the eggs with a little vegetable oil, and then buff with a paper towel. Gently press the eggs into the dough, evenly spaced. Cover and set aside until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the bread with the remaining beaten egg. Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, about 45 minutes. Cool about 30 minutes before slicing.

GREEK BREAD RECIPE (VILLAGE BREAD/ HORIATIKO PSOMI)

Steps:

• To prepare this easy Greek bread recipe, start by adding in a large bowl the water, yeast and sugar. Use a fork to completely dissolve the yeast in the water. Set aside for about 5 -10 minutes to activate the yeast. Note: if you don't have fresh yeast substitute for dried - just use one third of the quantity stated.
• Add half the flour a little bit at time whilst mixing with a spoon. Add the olive oil and salt and the rest of the flour and mix with a spoon until all the flour has been absorbed. At this point the dough should be sticky on your hand.
• Knead the dough a little bit with your hands until it's elastic and form into a ball. Place the dough inside a lightly oiled large bowl and cover with cling film.
• Let the dough rise at room temperature for 10-12 hours (or overnight).
• Deflate the dough. Sprinkle semolina on a large working surface and transfer the dough on the surface. Using a sharp knife divide the dough in 2 equal pieces. (This Greek Bread recipe makes 2 loafs of bread).
• Knead each piece of the dough with your hands just enough to have a nice and smooth dough that doesn't stick too much on your hands (for about 3 minutes). Sprinkle the dough with semolina (2-3 tbsps) when kneading the dough.
• Form 2 round loafs and place inside a casserole dish or clay pot with a lid. Score the top of each loaf using a sharp knife. Place the lid on the casserole dish.
• Preheat the oven at 250C/ 480F. Bake for 20 minutes with the lid on and another 15 minutes or so with the lid removed, until nicely coloured and crusty.

PSOMI - GREEK BREAD

Steps:

• Sift flour into a mixing bowl and place into a low oven to warm.
• Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water, then stir in remaining water, salt, and sugar.
• Remove flour from oven; take 2 cups of flour from the bowl and set aside.
• Make a well in the remaining flour and pour in the liquid; stir in a little of the flour until the liquid gets thick, then cover the bowl and leave in a warm place until the mixture is frothy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir the rest of the flour into the liquid, and add the butter/oil gradually, beating with a wooden spoon or mixing with your hands until smooth (about 10 minutes), or alternatively, use a dough hook/mixer for 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle a little flour onto a board, and turn the dough out; gradually mix in some of the flour you had set aside earlier.
• Only knead in enough to keep the dough from sticking; dough is ready when it is satiny, and the surface is slightly wrinkled; shape into a ball.
• Oil the dough, and place in bowl, making sure the top side is oiled completely; cover bowl with plastic and allow to rise in a warm place for 1-1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
• Punch down and make into 2 pieces; turn onto floured surface, and form each into a torpedo-shape.
• Grease baking sheet and sprinkle with semolina; place the dough well apart on the sheet and cut 4 diagonal slashes across the dough; cover with a cloth and allow to proof in a warm place until doubled again, about an hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place a dish of boiling water on the bottom of the oven; spray bread lightly with a mister and bake in preheated oven for approx 35-40 minutes; after first 15 minutes, mist again with water, then again 10 minutes later.
• Cool on a rack when done.

DAKOS (GREEK BREAD SALAD)

Steps:

• Preheat the grill. Brush the bread with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Grill bread on both sides until lightly golden brown. Remove the bread to a platter and let sit at room temperature to get slightly hard.
• Meanwhile, whisk together 1 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and dill in a medium bowl. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Fold the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and feta into the oil mixture and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Spoon the mixture over the bread. Garnish with additional dill and drizzle with chili oil, if desired. Serve immediately.

GREEK TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

GREEK SESAME BREAD RINGS RECIPE (KOULOURI THESSALONIKIS)

Steps:

• To prepare these Greek sesame bread rings recipe, start by making the dough. In the mixer's bowl add the lukewarm water, the yeast and sugar and stir. Wrap well with plastic wrap and set aside for about 8-10 minutes, until the yeast starts bubbling. Into the same bowl, add first the flour, then the salt and olive oil. Using the dough hook, mix all the ingredients at low speed for about 7 minutes, until the dough becomes an elastic ball. When done, remove the dough from the hook and check out its texture. It should be smooth and elastic and slightly sticky. If it is too sticky, add just a little more flour (1/2 tsp), mix and check again.
• Coat lightly a bowl with some olive oil, place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough sit in warm place for about 30 minutes. Knead the dough again at medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes.
• Turn the dough onto a working surface and divide into 12 pieces. Take one piece of the dough and roll out into a rope approx. 35cm long. Form a circle and join the ends pinching them together. Place the bread ring on a large baking tray, lined up with parchment paper and repeat with the rest of the dough. (You will need two large baking trays.)
• Prepare the ingredients for the garnish. In one bowl pour some water. In a separate bowl or tray place the sesame seeds. Dip the koulouria (bread rings) in water and then in sesame seeds, making sure to cover them on all sides. Place them back on your baking sheets, leaving some distance between them. Let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. (For garnish you can also petimezi for extra flavour. Use 1/3 of a cup petimezi diluted in 1/4 of cup water and dip the bread rings first in the petimezi mixture and then in sesame seeds.)
• Bake in preheated oven at 200C for about 15 minutes, until nicely golden brown and crusty. Enjoy!

GREEK BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the water.
• Mix the sugar, cardamom, salt, egg, milk and oil in a bowl.
• Add the yeast, both types of flour, raisins and nuts.
• Mix well.
• Add enough flour to make soft dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Shape into a round loaf.
• Put the dough into a lightly greased 8" round cake pan.
• Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (usually about 1 hour or so).
• Bake in a 350°F oven for 40 minutes.

HORIATIKO PSOMI: GREEK COUNTRY BREAD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water .
• Slowly add 1/2 cup of flour and mix until all lumps of flour have dissolved to form a thick mixture. Allow it to rise about 15 to 20 minutes.​ If using a sourdough starter, make a sponge with 1/2 pound of starter, 1/2 cup of lukewarm water, and 1/2 cup of flour, allowing it to rise for 2 hours.
• Sift the remaining flour with the salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center, and add the milk, oil, honey, yeast mixture or sourdough starter, and 2 cups of lukewarm water.
• Pulling in the flour slowly, mix with your hands until you have a cohesive mass. If more water is needed, add in small amounts from the remaining 1/2 cup.
• Turn out onto a floured surface and continue kneading until the dough is nice and smooth and no longer sticks to your hands.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled mixing bowl and roll until all sides are greased. Cover the bowl with 3 dishtowels: first one dry, one dampened with warm water on top, and lastly one dry as well. Place in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Punch down and knead the dough for 5 to 6 minutes on a floured surface. Divide the dough into 3 to 4 balls, and form into your preferred shape.
• Place the loaves several inches apart on top of an ungreased cookie sheet and cover with the 3 dishtowels as before-dry, damp, dry. Keep the loaves in a warm place and allow proving for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 450 F/220 C.​ Score the tops of the loaves in 3 or 4 places. Bake on the rack just below the middle of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until browned. When ready, if tapped on the bottom, the bread should sound hollow.
• Remove from oven and cool on racks. Serve warm.
• Enjoy.

VASILOPITA (GREEK NEW YEAR'S BREAD)

Steps:

• Add the sugar, baking powder, olive oil, 1 cup of the grated cheese, and water to the large bowl of a stand mixer attached with a whisk. Whisk on low speed to combine.
• Remove the whisk and add the hook attachment to the stand mixer.
• Over medium-low speed, add the flour, one cup at a time. Knead for about 5 minutes or until you have a workable dough (it will be somewhat wet still).
• Cover the dough with a towel and set aside for now.
• Make the cinnamon mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cinnamon, sugar, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg.
• Prepare and lightly grease the bottom of a 10-inch round springform pan.
• Divide the dough into 11 equal size portions and form them into balls (you may need to flour your hands or a clean surface to help you shape the dough without sticking too much).
• On a clean lightly floured surface, working with one ball of dough at a time, use a rolling pin and roll out the dough to a thin 10-inch round. Place the first round of dough on the bottom of the prepared pan. Brush with the melted butter. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon mixture and follow with a generous sprinkle of grated romano cheese.
• Repeat with two more layers of dough. If you're adding the coin for good luck, wash it well and dry it then wrap it in a piece of foil and place it on top of layer of dough you just laid down.
• Continue shaping the dough balls into 10-inch rounds and layering the dough rounds on top of each other in the pan, making sure to brush each layer with the melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture and grated cheese until the very last layer.
• Lay the last layer of dough on the very top. Combine the egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of water (or milk) and whisk. Brush the last layer of dough with a little melted butter and the egg wash. Finish with a sprinkle of the sesame seeds.
• Heat the the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake on the middle rack for 1 hour and 45 minutes, until the vasilopita is a rich golden-brown. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before moving it from the baking pan to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing.