New Year's Day, Vasilopitta Bread

* Exported from MasterCook *

NEW YEAR'S DAY, VASILOPITTA BREAD

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Breads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 tb Dry yeast
1/4 c Warm water
1/2 ts Each.. cinnamon, anise
-seeds, orange peel
1 Bay leaf
1 oz Ouzo (optional)
1/2 c Water
1/2 c Hot milk
1/4 lb Butter
7 c Unbleached flour, unsifted
1 c Sugar
1/2 ts Salt
3 Eggs
12 Walnut halves

The Greeks wrap coins in foil and knead them into this
bread. They believe anyone who finds a coin will have
good luck in the coming year.

Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. Put
spices, orange peel,bay leaf, and ouzo in a pot with
the 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Set aside to
steep and cool. Heat milk and remove from heat. Add
the butter and allow the milk to cool slightly. Put
the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mix in
eggs, yeast, milk mixture, and flavored water (remove
only the bay leaf) Stir the mixture until all the
flour has been absorbed.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and
knead until smooth, about 20 minutes. Place in a
buttered bowl, and flip the dough so the top is
greased as well. Cover with a towel dampened with hot
water. Set in a warm, draft free place to rise until
doubled in bulk, about 4-6 hours.

Punch down the dough and knead for about 5 minutes.
Shape into one large round loaf and decorate the top
with walnut halves. Set aside to rise once more,
about 2 hours (uncovered). Bake in a preheated 350 F
oven for 1 hour.

Makes 1 loaf.

Origin: Hearth and Home Companion Shared by: Sharon
Stevens.



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