Greek Sesame Bread
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup lukewarm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 tbsp lukewarm milk
- 1 each envelope active dry yeast
- 0 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 each egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, oil, milk, and yeast in a mixing bowl and stir to dissolve the yeast.
- 2
Add 1 cup of the flour and the salt and beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
- 3
Add the remaining flour and beat to form a stiff dough.
- 4
Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
- 5
Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a dish towel, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.
- 6
Punch the dough down and form into a round loaf on a lightly-floured baking sheet.
- 7
Beat the egg with the milk and brush the dough with the mixture.
- 8
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf with a very sharp knife or razor blade.
- 9
Cover and allow to rise until double in volume.
- 10
Place a cake pan with 1 inch of water in it on the bottom shelf of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- 11
Bake the loaf for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake an additional 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- 12
Test for doneness by thumping the bottom of the loaf - it should produce a hollow sound.
- 13
Cool on a rack.
- 14
Makes 1 loaf