Subject: Greek Easter Bread
From: Unicorn (unicorn@indenial.com)
Date: Sun Apr 23 2000 - 03:10:00 EDT
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F O O D F U N N Y
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Rather than a food funny today, I thought I would publish this clever
response from long-time reader and Pen-Pal Forum regular Ian Rice of
Stockport, England. Since Ian has obviously done a great deal of
scholarly research, I will take this as the final word on the great
French fry/chip/crisp controversy. (Note to Ian: The emphasis is on
the first syllable of "controversy.")
Dear Chef,
I'll bet I'm not the first Brit that has written to help you better
understand our language.
You are correct in saying that what we rightly call a crisp is what
you Americans perversely insist on calling a chip but an English chip
is not a French Fry. We call French Fries, French Fries. A chip is
an altogether more beautiful and satisfying way of preparing a potato.
Whereas a French Fry is a small, thin, wizened thing rightly confined
to fast food outlets where neither yourself nor any of your
subscribers would ever dream of venturing, a chip is a thick,
unctuous, golden article. It is a deep golden colour on its crisp
outside and white and soft on the inside. It is the perfect
accompaniment to well-battered, deep fried fish but is also
inestimable with fried eggs and grilled (that's broiled to you) steak.
The Belgians insist on eating their version of French Fries (I wonder
why, as they form part of their national dish, they're not called
Belgian Fries) with mayonnaise. One would never think of that
matching with an English chip although tomato ketchup works very well.
I trust you will not take offence at this correction but it is an
error of understanding that appears to be very prevalent outside this
sceptred isle.
Best wishes,
Ian Rice
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T O D A Y ' S R E C I P E
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Lambropsomo, the traditional Greek Easter bread, may or may not
incorporate eggs that have been hard boiled and dyed red; usually one
egg is centered in a round leaf with a cross formed over it, or four
red eggs will be nestled into a braided loaf. This recipe calls for
one loaf of each of these shapes. In some households the same bread
without the red egg decoration is baked and served on Sunday
throughout the year.
Lambropsomo - Greek Easter Bread
2 Tbs (2 packets, 30 ml) active dry yeast
1/2 cup (125 ml) warm water
1 cup (250 ml) warm milk
1/2 cup (125 ml) melted butter
2 tsp (10 ml) coarse salt or 1 tsp (5 ml) table salt
2 tsp (10 ml) anise seed, crushed
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup (125 ml) sugar
1 Tbs (15 ml) grated orange rind
About 6 cups (1.5 L) white flour, preferably unbleached
2-5 hard boiled eggs, dyed red
For the glaze:
Soft butter
Sesame seeds (optional)
In a large bowl mix yeast with warm water, then stir in milk, butter
and salt. Add the anise seed, the beaten eggs, the sugar, and grated
orange peel. Keep stirring while adding the flour. When the mixture
is stiff, turn out on a floured surface and knead about 10 minutes,
until smooth and satiny. Clean the bowl and grease it well. Put the
dough in the bowl, and turn so all surfaces are oiled; cover with
plastic and let rise about 2 hours, until doubled. Punch the dough
down, knead briefly and divide in half to make the two different
shapes (or make two loaves of the same shape if you prefer). To make
a round loaf with a cross with one half of the dough, first tear off a
piece of dough, about one-fifth the whole amount. Form the larger
piece into a round and put it on a greased baking sheet. Center one
red egg on the top of the round. Divide the reserved piece in half
and roll out 2 long strips. Place these over the egg in the form of a
cross, tucking the ends under the loaf. To make a braided crown with
the other half, divide the dough in thirds and roll out into ropes at
least 2 feet (60 cm) long. Braid the ropes together, pinching the
ends securely and then form into a circle on a greased baking sheet,
pinching again the ends where they overlap. Nestle 4 red eggs in
among the braids. Cover both loaves with a kitchen towel and let rise
1 hour. Bake in a preheated 350F (180C) oven for 30 minutes. Remove
and brush immediately with butter, then sprinkle on optional sesame
seeds. Makes 2 round loaves.
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