Pasca Romanian Easter Bread Food

PASCA - ROMANIAN EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• Make the Bread Dough:.
• In a mixing bowl add 1 cup flour, 1 cup warm milk, and 2 tsp of dry yeast and stir to combine. Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour on top and let sit for 10-15 minutes until the mixture increases in volume and the flour on top is cracked looking.
• To the same bowl, add melted butter, oil, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and mix until well combined.
• Slowly add the remaining 3 cups of flour while continuing to mix, adding only enough for the dough to clear the sides of the bowl, no more. Adding too much flour will cause the dough to be dry.
• Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, use only enough flour to keep dough from sticking to hands and surface, being careful not to add too much.
• Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and leave to rise until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. I like to let dough rise in a closed (off) oven.
• Divide the dough into 4 sections.
• Roll one piece into a 10-inch circle and place it in the bottom of a well-buttered 10 inch springform pan.
• Shape the remaining pieces into thin ropes about 2.5 feet long and braid them together.
• Place the braided pieces in the springform pan, braiding the ends together to form a sealed circle.
• Cover and let rise for another 40 minutes.
• Make the Cheese Filling:.
• When is the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 375F and make the cheese filling.
• In a new mixing bowl, whisk together the cheese, eggs, sugar, raisins, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
• Assemble and Bake:.
• Beat egg with water, and brush the braid with the egg wash.
• Pour the cheese filling into the middle of the braided circle.
• Bake for 15 minute sat 375°F.
• Without opening the oven door, lower the oven temperature to 325F and bake for 45 more minutes or until the crust is deep brown.
• Turn off the oven and crack open the oven door a little bit. Allow the bread to cool slowly inside the oven.
• Slice and enjoy with a hot cup of tea!

UKRAINIAN EASTER BREAD (PASKA)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over low heat, heat the milk and 1 tablespoon of the sugar until very warm (120 to 130 F). Pour into a large mixing bowl, and sprinkle over the yeast. Allow to stand until foamy, about 15 minutes.
• Sift 1 cup of the flour over the yeast mixture and with a wooden spoon, stir until a batter forms. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and leave in a warm place (80 F to 85 F) until mixture looks puffy and spongy, about 1/2 hour.
• In another bowl or a 4 cup measure whisk the eggs and egg yolks together with the vanilla extract, grated lemon zest, and salt.
• Sift another 2 cups of flour over the risen yeast flour mixture, and make a well in the center. Pour in the egg mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes a soft, sticky dough; the dough should be as soft as possible, so do not add more flour unless it is very wet.
• Using your hand, spread the butter over the dough and work into the dough, folding it over itself and kneading into the dough until the butter is completely incorporated. Cover with the dish towel and leave to rise again in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 3 hours.
• Butter a 2 pound coffee can. Line the bottom with nonstick baking parchment, and butter again.
• Punch down the dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the raisins, golden raisins over the dough, and knead until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Form the dough into a ball shape, and ease into the coffee can. Cover and leave to rise again until the dough reaches the top of the can, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F Brush the top of the dough with a little milk and if you like sprinkle with about a tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake about 1/2 hour longer; if the paska browns too quickly, cover with foil. Remove to a wire rack to cool in the can for about 5 minutes, then carefully unmold, top side up, to cool completely. Makes 1 loaf.