Flower Bread
Flower Bread is a splendid homemade recipe that not only impresses with its appearance but also with its delicious taste. With a fluffy texture and an inviting aroma, this bread will surely become a star on your table. The total preparation time is about 2 hours, and this recipe yields 8 perfect servings to be enjoyed with loved ones.
Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g wheat flour (preferably type 650 for a softer bread)
- 250 ml lukewarm water
- 7 g dry yeast (or 25 g fresh yeast)
- 10 g salt
- 30 ml olive oil (or another vegetable oil)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to activate the yeast)
- Optional: sesame or poppy seeds for decoration
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, combine 250 ml lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and the dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential to ensure that the yeast is active.
2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Start mixing the ingredients with a spatula or your hands until the dough begins to form.
3. Kneading the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes. The dough should become elastic and smooth. If it is too sticky, you can add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it.
4. First rising: Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little oil, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
5. Shaping the bread: After the dough has risen, transfer it to the work surface. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Each piece will become a petal of the flower. Shape each piece into a ball, then flatten it with your palm.
6. Assembling the flower: Arrange the 8 petals in a circle, with one petal in the center. You can slightly overlap them for a fuller look. Let them rise again for 30 minutes, covered with a damp towel.
7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. If desired, you can sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds on top of the bread for a crunchy appearance. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cooling and serving: After removing the bread from the oven, let it cool on a rack. This flower bread is delicious served warm, alongside butter or fresh cheese. It can also be used to make savory sandwiches.
Practical tips:
- Make sure the water used for activating the yeast is not too hot, as this can kill the yeast.
- You can add dried herbs to the dough for extra flavor, such as oregano or rosemary.
- For a sweet version, you can add a few tablespoons of sugar and cinnamon to the dough, and after baking, glaze it with honey or maple syrup.
Flower Bread is not just a delicacy but also a culinary work of art that will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Try it and enjoy every moment of its preparation!
The yeast is rubbed with sugar and then mixed with warm milk. It is left aside for 10 minutes until it rises. Then flour, eggs, salt, sugar, and 125 ml of oil are added, and a smooth, non-sticky dough is kneaded well. The dough is left to rise, covered with plastic wrap, for 30 minutes or until it doubles in volume. It is placed on a work surface and formed into a roll that is cut in half, then one corner of one half is cut off. The middle and the small part are covered with plastic wrap, while the larger part is divided into 5 equal balls. The balls are rolled out with a rolling pin to form overlapping discs. Each disc is brushed with a tablespoon of olive oil before being covered by another disc. The last disc is rolled out more so that its edges go under the base of the others. It is not brushed with oil. The dough is placed in the center of a previously greased and floured baking tray and four cross cuts are made in the dough, leaving the edge uncut. The cut parts are brought towards the outside. The middle part of the dough is now also divided into 5 equal pieces, which are similarly rolled into discs that overlap, brushed with olive oil, then placed in the center of the crown, cut in the same way, taking care that the cuts do not overlap with the previous ones, and the corners brought towards the outside occupy the free spaces in the crown. The cut parts are brought towards the outside. The middle part of the dough is now also divided into 5 equal pieces, which are similarly rolled into discs that overlap, brushed with olive oil, then placed in the center of the crown, cut in the same way, taking care that the cuts do not overlap with the previous ones, and the corners brought towards the outside occupy the free spaces in the crown. From the smaller part of the dough, a ball is formed and placed inside the second crown. The bread is brushed with beaten egg yolk mixed with a little milk, decorated with seeds, and placed in a preheated oven at 200 degrees for 20 minutes, then the temperature is reduced to 180 degrees and left for another 30 minutes. If necessary, to prevent the bread from browning too much, it is now covered with aluminum foil. The Flower Bread is eaten with any kind of food that requires bread.
Ingredients: 700 g flour, 40 g fresh yeast, 250 ml milk, 125 ml oil, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, 8 tablespoons olive oil (originally melted margarine), 1 egg yolk (for brushing), sesame and poppy/cumin seeds (for decoration)
