An Easter Gift

I'm a little late with the blog, as during the past couple of days, my cat, Patches, has been ill. This morning was especially sad, as my little calico of 17 years was laid to rest.

Patches and I were kindred souls...she was petite, agile, and loved to prance with an impish gait. Old age set in, and she could no longer hold her little body up. When her deep, slow purr stopped this morning, I knew it was time.

During this holiday weekend, it is especially important to try to keep the spirit. In doing so, I dedicate this blog to our wonderful pets, who bring so much joy to our lives. They are not just animals, but true members of our families. They are a special gift to us for too short a time, but they live in our hearts forever!

I thought it would be nice to speak of the Easter gift...otherwise known as Mama Melisi's Easter Bread. I should say, that this is a Melisi/Tozzi recipe. About 40 years ago, Mama Melisi and her dear friend, Dolores Tozzi put their heads together to revise and perfect this recipe! And perfect it, they did!

Each year, I would wake up to a Dining Room table filled with pans of rising bread dough! Mama Melisi would make sure that no one would open the back door for fear of cool air entering...the room had to be warm while the bread was rising. Then, of course, I could see her using the punch and knead routine before she formed the dough into braided round loaves!

When I say it was an Easter gift, I mean it. Friends, nieces, nephews, and neighbors would line up anxiously waiting for their personal Easter Bread loaf! It was a gift to us, and to everyone!

The recipe has passed through the generations, as my niece, Lori, made the Easter Bread for the first time this year with much success! (Yeah, Lori!!! I knew that was why you purchased that Dining Room set!) I expect my loaf UPS delivered to Florida...same time next year!

We wish everyone a Happy Easter, Happy Passover...after a long winter, enjoy the sunshine, and most importantly, enjoy time with your family, friends, and beloved pets!

We send our wish with love,

From Mama Melisi and Me

Easter Bread Ingredients:

5 1/2 cups bread flour
1 cup sugar
1 package rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup water
3/8 cup milk (little less than 1/2 cup)
1 stick margarine or butter
3 extra large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon anise extract
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Hints to follow for success in the bread making:

1. Let eggs become room temperature
2. Prepare the night before baking - let the bread dough raise overnight - it becomes lighter in texture
3. After making the loaves or bread braids, let raise for another 30 minutes
4. Do not over handle the dough in making the breads

Mixing Instructions:

Mix 2 cups of the flour with the sugar and undissolved yeast in a large mixing bowl
Heat the water, milk and butter/margarine in a small saucepan until very warm (but not boiling) 105 degrees to 115 degrees
The butter need not melt
Gradually stir the milk mixture into the yeast mixture on medium mixing speed
Beat for 2-3 minutes
Add the eggs and the flour (2 cups at a time)
Keep mixing (use your dough hook attachment)
Then add all of the flavors
You can add a little more flour if necessary - it should be a soft dough
Knead in your mixer for 7-10 minutes

Place dough in a greased bowl - cover with saran wrap and then a cloth towel
Let dough rise in a warm place...dough should double in size
Punch the dough down with your fist
Now you can prepare the dough for making the breads

One way is to divide the dough into as many loaf pans as you have. This will probably make about 4 loaves. Spray the loaf pan with pam first. Then let the loaves raise for another 30 minutes. Only fill the pans half full. Then beat egg whites and brush the top of each loaf with this. Add sprinkles of your liking.

Italian Easter Bread is usually braided. After the dough is raised, punch it down, and knead a little with your hands. Just give it a quick knead. Take a good handful of the dough and roll into two ropes to be braided. Two pieces are needed to braid and then form into a circle. Pinch the ends together. Take cookie sheets, line with foil or parchment paper, spray with pam and place your braided circles onto the cookie sheet. If the circles are large, you can only fit two on a cookie sheet. If the circles are medium in size you can fit 3 on a cookie sheet. Again, let this raise for 30 minutes - brush with egg white and add your sprinkles.

The bread in loaf pans are baked at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes
The braided breads take about the same amount of time, also in 350 degree oven
Use a baker's tester to check if they are done. (Dough should not stick to the tester.) Breads should be a very golden brown in color.

This is terrific to have on Easter morning with your coffee or hot chocolate! It does take time but it is worth it...As you become the bread expert, triple your recipe so you can give it away, too!