Greek Sesame Bread

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Greek Sesame Bread

 

1/2 cup lukewarm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 tablespoons lukewarm milk

1 envelope active dry yeast

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

 

Combine the water, oil, milk, and yeast in a mixing bowl and stir to dissolve

the yeast. Add 1 cup of the flour and the salt and beat with an electric mixer

for 2 minutes. Add the remaining flour and beat to form a stiff dough. Knead the

dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly greased

bowl, cover with a dish towel, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled

in volume.

Punch the dough down and form into a round loaf on a lightly-floured baking

sheet. Beat the egg with the milk and brush the dough with the mixture. Sprinkle

with sesame seeds, and cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf with a very sharp

knife or razor blade. Cover and allow to rise until double in volume.

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. Bake the loaf for 15 minutes, then reduce the

heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes, until golden brown. Test

for doneness by thumping the bottom of the loaf - it should produce a hollow

sound. Cool on a rack.

Makes 1 loaf.