Christopsomo tis kirias zinis

3 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Karen Mintzias
4½ cup Semolina flour
2¼ cup Sugar
3 tablespoons Freshly ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon Freshly ground anise
1 tablespoon Freshly ground coriander
4 packs Active dry yeast
½ teaspoon Sugar Hot water, just above body
2 teaspoons Freshly ground cloves
3 Oranges
6 Tangerines
2½ cup Dried currants
1 cup Golden raisins
1 cup Olive oil, mild temperature
4 cups All-purpose flour; plus extra for kneading

Directions

STARTER DOUGH

Make the flavoring addition first. Combine the semolina flour, sugar, cinnamon, anise, coriander, and cloves in a bowl and add the finely grated zests of the oranges and tangerines. Squeeze some of the oranges and tangerines. Squeeze some of the oranges and tangerines to obtain 1¼ cups juice. Use half this juice to soak the currants and raisins for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably overnight. Put the remaining juice in a pan with the olive oil. Heat until almost boiling. Pour this into a bowl with the semolina and spice mixture and stir. Cover and leave overnight until needed.

Next day, combine the dried yeast with the sugar and hot water in a cup. Put the flour in a bowl, making a well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture. Squeeze ⅔ cup more orange and tangerine juice, warm it, nad add. Work to a smooth dough, adding more water and warm juice if necessary. Put the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and leave to rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size - about an hour.

Punch down the dough in a bowl. Combine the drained currants and raisins with the semolina and spice mixture and, working with your hands, combine with the dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, adding more flour if the dough is sticky.

Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Oil 3 loaf pans, each 1-½ quart capacity. Shape each piece to fit the length of the pan and fit them in, so the corners are well filled. Cover with a cloth and leave to rise in a warm place until almost double in size - another hour.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350 F for 1 hour and 10 minutes or more; the loaves should be rich brown color and make a hollow sound when the unmolded bread is thumped on the bottom. Leave on a rack to cool. The bread will keep for at least 3 weeks.

Source: Recipes from a Greek Island - by Susie Jacobs ISBN:0-671-74531-X

Typed for you by Karen Mintzias

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