Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

88 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
cookbook. The temperature of the yeast water really does make a difference, as does how long
you knead the bread, etc.
Envelop yourself in love and positive thoughts and enjoy this fine art. So mote it be.
Aeona’s Ceremonial Bread Recipe
2 packages dry granular yeast
1/3 cup lukewarm water
2 tsp. sugar
2 cups milk
1 stick sweet butter or margarine (¼ lb.)
4 Tbs. golden orange blossom honey
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Add sugar and stir.
Cover and set aside until foaming and doubled in volume.
In a large mixing bowl stir together the scalded milk,
butter, and honey.
Cool to lukewarm.
Add beaten egg yolks, salt, and 2 cups flour.
Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until bubbly and well blended.
Add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, just enough to make a soft, but firm dough.
Turn out onto a lightly floured board.
Knead for at least 10–15 minutes, occasionally dropping the dough hard onto the board.
Place in a warm greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Cover with a light, clean towel and set in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
Push down with a floured fist and let rise again.
Cut down, turn out into a lightly floured board, and shape into two medium size loaves.
Place in greased and lightly floured 8x 4x 2 1/2-inch bread pans.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk or until dough reaches top of the pans.
Brush with beaten egg yolks and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for 35–40 minutes longer or until the
loaves are a golden brown and test done (tap the bread—if it sounds hollow the bread
is done).
Slice 3/4 inch thick and toast lightly for the most fragrant toasts ever!
Variations:
More eggs or just the egg yolks.
Pinch of saffron for exotic color.
Nutmeg for the palate.
3 egg yolks, beaten
1-1/2 tsp. salt
6 cups unbleached flour
1 egg yolk, beaten with 2 tsp. water
Poppy seeds
Celebratory:
Dried fruits, nuts, and extra honey for
sweetness.
Nutmeg, cardamom, and/or cinnamon.
Helpful Hints:
Smear bread all over with butter to keep it soft.
Dough should be elastic.
Yeast must be kept 104 degrees F or it will die.
Scald milk and add cold butter and cold honey to bring temperature of milk down.
Turn oven on low and set bread on top to help rising.
Slit bread with knife before rising to tell how much it rises.
Sing songs of the occasion to imbue the bread with love, joy,
and other wonderful desires!