To celebrate Easter in Portugal why not try this traditional recipe.
Ingredients:
- 400g flour
- 15g fresh yeast
- 45g caster sugar
- 90g butter
- 1 large egg
- 300ml warmed milk
- 1tsp powdered aniseed
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 or 4 hard boiled eggs, still in their shells
- 1 beaten egg for brushing
Method:
In a bowl, mix the yeast with a quarter of the flour and a third of the milk, before mixing in half the sugar. Mix and cover before leaving in a warm place to rise for around 30 minutes. Meanwhile, beat the egg with the remaining milk and sugar, salt and spices. Gradually add the flour and work the dough for a few minutes.
Add the softened butter and work again. Mix the yeast mixture into the dough and knead well. When ready, it should not stick to the sides of the bowl. Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for around three hours.
On a floured surface, shape one big or two smaller round loaves and place the boiled eggs on top, secured with two strips of dough, forming a cross. Brush the folar with beaten egg and bake in a hot oven (210˚C) until nicely brown.
