Korovai

Korovai is a traditional Ukrainian bread baked for weddings and anniversaries. Like in many other Eastern-European cuisines, it symbolizes family union. The recipes and decorations vary from region to region and depend on the occasion. Decorative ymbols: Triangle: the Trinity Fish: Christ, the fisherman Sun: life, growth, and good fortune Flowers: love, charity, and goodwill Wheat: good health and wishes for a good harvest Evergreens: health and eternal youth Cross: the death and the resurrection of Christ Eight-pointed star: the sun god Birds: fertility and wish-fulfillment Dots: stars in the heavens Deer, horses, and rams: prosperity Waves and ribbons circling an egg: eternity Pussy willows: Palm Sunday Pine branches and trees: youth and health Acorns: fertility

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Measure all ingredients and bring them to room temperature. Make a dough starter. Combine yeast, 250g flour, 1 tbsp sugar, and milk in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Step 2

Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat eggs, salt, and sugar until light and pale yellow for about 5 minutes. Fold eggs foam into the dough starter from step 1.

Step 3

Mix vanilla seeds, lemon zest, orange zest, rum, and melted butter. Fold into the dough starter from step 2 until well combined.

Step 4

Add the remaining flour and knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to a large bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise at room temperature until double in size, for 1 to 2 hours. (Meanwhile, make dough for decorations. See instructions below.)

Step 5

Lightly grease 10" baking dish with butter. Divide the dough into two equal portions. One portion will be a center of the bread; the other — a braided border.

Step 6

Shape one portion of the dough into a ball and place it in the center of the baking pan.

Step 7

Divide the second half of the dough into three equal portions, roll each one into a rope, ~36" long. Braid them and arrange the braid around the ball on the baking pan. Make sure there is about 1/2" space between the ball and the braid.

Step 8

Cover with a turned upside-down big bowl and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour. (Meanwhile, shape decorations. See instructions below.)

Step 9

Mix all ingredients and knead the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let flour properly hydrate for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 10

After an hour, the dough is very smooth and elastic. Work with small portions of dough at a time, keep the rest covered with plastic wrap. Shape all decorative elements and keep them in a covered container.

Step 11

Preheat oven 350F. For the best results, use a baking stone and 12" clay cloche. Make an egg wash and brush the bread dough with it.

Step 12

Arrange decorative elements. Brush the bread dough and the decorations with the egg wash for the second time.

Step 13

Bake (preferably under the hot cloche) for 45-50 minutes. When baked, carefully remove the bread from the baking pan, wrap in a cotton kitchen towel, and let cool on a rack.

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