ΒΑΘΜΟΣ ΔΥΣΚΟΛΙΑΣ
εύκολο
ΧΡΟΝΟΣ
30'
ΑΤΟΜΑ
4
ΥΛΙΚΑ
- 1 kilo (approximately) all-purpose flour
- 50 g fresh yeast
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 150 g sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tsp water
- red-dyed eggs for decoration
- zest of 1 orange
Περιγραφή
According to tradition, the “lamprokouloura” is kneaded on Holy Thursday. By custom, girls are offered a round kouloura, which symbolizes the circle of life, and for boys a horseshoe is made, symbolizing good fortune. The lamprokouloura can be made like everyday bread or made sweet, with various aromatic spices, flour and yeast, like tsoureki. What distinguishes it, however, is its decoration with dough designs and red eggs.
Εκτέλεση
Dissolve the fresh yeast in the lukewarm water and add one tablespoon of sugar. Set it aside until it puffs up and bubbles form. Reserve two cups of all-purpose flour and put the remaining flour in the mixer bowl. Make a well in the center and add the dissolved yeast, the sugar, the salt, the oil, the eggs, the cinnamon and the orange zest. Knead the mixture in the mixer with the dough hooks, adding as much of the remaining flour as needed to obtain a smooth, elastic dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and then with thick towels. Leave it in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, until it doubles in volume. Divide the dough into 2 pieces (if you are making 2 loaves).
Set aside enough dough to make the decorations. Shape into round loaves or any other shape you like. Begin decorating. Press 4 dyed eggs crosswise at the edges. Roll the reserved dough into cords, wrap them around the eggs and press the ends into the dough. You can also make small birds and place them on top of the eggs, adding cloves for eyes. Continue decorating with the remaining dough. Place the festive loaves on baking trays, cover them and let them rise again in a warm place until doubled in volume. Brush the surface with the egg yolk and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes and then at 160°C for another 20–25 minutes, taking care not to let them brown too much. If necessary, cover them with aluminum foil during baking.
Set aside enough dough to make the decorations. Shape into round loaves or any other shape you like. Begin decorating. Press 4 dyed eggs crosswise at the edges. Roll the reserved dough into cords, wrap them around the eggs and press the ends into the dough. You can also make small birds and place them on top of the eggs, adding cloves for eyes. Continue decorating with the remaining dough. Place the festive loaves on baking trays, cover them and let them rise again in a warm place until doubled in volume. Brush the surface with the egg yolk and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes and then at 160°C for another 20–25 minutes, taking care not to let them brown too much. If necessary, cover them with aluminum foil during baking.