Ukrainian Memorial Bread Recipes

UKRAINIAN MEMORIAL BREAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, dissolve sugar in water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand for 10 minutes or until frothy. In large bowl, stir 3 cups flour with salt. With wooden spoon, stir in yeast mixture, honey, eggs, egg yolks and butter. Turn out onto floured surface; knead for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic, dusting with enough of the remaining flour to prevent sticking.
• Place dough in large greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm draft free place until doubled in bulk and indentation remains when dough is poked with 2 fingers, about 1 hour. Punch down dough; knead in raisins. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• To make braid, divide dough into three and roll out into three long ropes. Place on greased baking sheet and braid. Start braiding from the centre to the end and then braid the other side. Tuck ends under braid. Cover braid loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm draft free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• To make crown: Roll into 30 inch long rope. Holding 1 end in place, wind remaining rope around end to form fairly tight spiral that is slightly higher in centre. Transfer to lightly greased baking sheet.
• TOPPING: Stir egg yolk with 1 teaspoons water; brush over loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in 350°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom. Let cool on rack.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS KUTYA

Steps:

• Wash wheat in cold water and soak overnight in the 3 to 4 quarts of water.
• The next day, bring the water to a boil then simmer for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• The wheat is ready when the kernels burst open and the fluid is thick and creamy.
• Chop the poppy seed in a food processor (or coffee grinder) (or you can buy ground poppy seeds in some deli's) and set aside.
• Mix honey, sugar and hot water.
• Mix the honey mixture, poppy seeds, and chopped nuts and wheat.
• More honey can be added to taste.
• Keep in refrigerator.

BEST HOMEMADE BREAD - UKRAINIAN STYLE !

Steps:

• Using my kitchen aid mixer, put in the 2 Tbsp. yeast and add 4 cups of the flour. Mix well and ensure this is well blended.
• In another mixing bowl, combine the water, sugar, oil, salt and eggs.
• On the #2 setting, or low, slowly add in the liquids to the flour and yeast mixture. Now with the mixer on, add the remaining flour, one cup at a time. Knead until a soft dough is formed. Remove from the Kitchenaid bowl and place in a well-oiled mixing bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place. After about 30 minutes, punch down and let rise again until double.
• This dough is now ready to be shaped into loaves for bread, buns or used in your favourite recipes. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 25-30 minutes.