The Grapevine: Easter Bread
By Rosalyn Queen on March 01, 2016 from The Grapevine
It will only be a couple of weeks until Easter Sunday. I hope you have participated in some Lenten services and if you have not there is still time.
Once we enter this season most of us are thinking about the Easter Bread. This morning I got up and I now have my Easter bread raising and will be baking it as soon as I get this column submitted. I am going to submit my recipe from my book for those of you who may not have a copy.
EASTER BREAD 'MUCHALLATTA' Ingredients; 2 or three packages of dry yeast dissolved in two cups of water; Combine 5 pounds of flour and 1 1/2 cups of sugar add 2 tablespoons of anise seed; and two teaspoons salt; make a well in the dry ingredients and add six beaten eggs, 2 cups of warm milk, 2 sticks of melted butter and add the water and yeast mixture.
Knead all the ingredients vigorously until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl, pound down and knead again; Place in a warm place and let dough rise keeping mixture covered.
After dough doubles, punch down and let it raise again. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once dough is ready to work, place in pans. You can twist it or put it in loaf pans. You can also make it into little doll babies by placing an uncooked egg in the center and then drawing a face on it after the bread has baked.
Bread will have to bake approximately 15 to 25 minutes according to size. Bread will be golden brown when done. You can brush butter on the top while still hot or you can make a glaze and put on the top of the bread. NOTE: If YOU USE MORE SUGAR THEN YOU SHOULD USE THREE PACKS OF YEAST SO THAT THE DOUGH WILL RAISE.
I used the last of the anise seed that I brought from Italy. I cannot wait to enjoy this bread and share it with my family. There are two other popular Easter recipes included in my book. One was submitted by Rebecca D'Annunzio and the other by Nicky Epstein. They are family Easter Pie recipes.
You can pick up a loaf of Easter Bread at Tomaro's Bakery or at any of the churches that bake it in the area. While at Tomaro's Bakery, remember to pick up a copy of my cookbook. Combine that purchase with a loaf of Easter bread and give it to a friend in need of an Easter gift.
I send my condolences to the family of Nancy Davisson and to the family of Christine Strader. Both were remarkable women.
This past week the PWA of Harrison County sponsored a free field trip for young people to attend the WVU Girls basketball game in Morgantown. Events like these are part of the mission of the PWA.
I want to call your attention to a site on Facebook for those of you who use it. It is "Explore Clarksburg". It is hosted and managed by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. They posted great pictures of the Women of Distinction program held this past week and it has wonderful pictures of our area. Thanks to Cathy and Tara doing such a great job on the Facebook page.
The last half of February marked the birthdays of my son-in-law Andy Lang and my wonderful neighbor and friend Jo Ellen Crowley. May they have many more. February is a busy birthday month for our family, but I love observing all the birthdays.
I have a Chemo treatment this week and I am anxiously awaiting the coming home of Marty in a couple of weeks. Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. I maybe have made my last trip to Glenville.
.jpg)
