Christopsomo Tis Kirias Zinis

Recipe Ingredients

4 1/2 cups	281g / 9.9oz	Semolina flour
2 1/4 cups	445g / 15oz	Sugar
3 tablespoons	45ml	Freshly ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon	15ml	Freshly ground anise
1 tablespoon	15ml	Freshly ground coriander
2 teaspoons	10ml	Freshly ground cloves
3		Oranges
6		Tangerines
2 1/2 cups	156g / 5.5oz	Dried currants
1 cup	160g / 5.6oz	Golden raisins
1 cup	237ml	Olive oil - mild
		Starter Dough
4		Active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Sugar
1/2 cup	118ml	- hot water - just above body temperature
4 cups	250g / 8.8oz	All-purpose flour - plus extra for kneading

Recipe Instructions

Make the flavoring addition first. Combine the semolina flour, sugar, cinnamon, anise, coriander, and cloves in a bowl and add the finely grated zests of the oranges and tangerines. Squeeze some of the oranges and tangerines. Squeeze some of the oranges and tangerines to obtain 1 1/4 cups juice. Use half this juice to soak the currants and raisins for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably overnight. Put the remaining juice in a pan with the olive oil. Heat until almost boiling. Pour this into a bowl with the semolina and spice mixture and stir. Cover and leave overnight until needed.

Next day, combine the dried yeast with the sugar and hot water in a cup. Put the flour in a bowl, making a well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture. Squeeze 2/3 cup more orange and tangerine juice, warm it, and add. Work to a smooth dough, adding more water and warm juice if necessary. Put the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and leave to rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size - about an hour.

Punch down the dough in a bowl. Combine the drained currants and raisins with the semolina and spice mixture and, working with your hands, combine with the dough. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, adding more flour if the dough is sticky.

Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Oil 3 loaf pans, each 1-1/2 quart capacity. Shape each piece to fit the length of the pan and fit them in, so the corners are well filled. Cover with a cloth and leave to rise in a warm place until almost double in size - another hour.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350F for 1 hour and 10 minutes or more; the loaves should be rich brown color and make a hollow sound when the unmolded bread is thumped on the bottom. Leave on a rack to cool. The bread will keep for at least 3 weeks.

Source:
Recipes from a Greek Island - by Susie Jacobs ISBN:0-671-74531-X

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