Vánočka - Czech Christmas bread

A recipe shared by Monika from Prague, a former Vincentian Volunteer at SWE.

For the Bread:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

2 packages active dry yeast

1/4 cup water

2 large eggs (beaten)

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup almonds (blanched and sliced)

1/3 cup lemon zest

For the Topping:

1 large egg (beaten)

2 tablespoons almonds (blanched and sliced)

Heat the milk so that it is lukewarm. Measure 1 teaspoon from the 3/4 cup of sugar and stir this into the milk along with the yeast. Leave it to bubble and froth (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, put flour, the rest of the sugar and salt into a large bowl and mix. Add lemon zest, egg yolks and melted butter, mixing well. Once the yeast is ready, add it to the bowl along with the dried fruit and mix to combine.

Knead the dough, so that it is well combined. The dough should be slightly sticky. Take the dough out of the bowl and dust the sides and bottom of the bowl with flour. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with a tea towel and put it in a warm place for 2 hours to rise.

Put the dough on a floured board and divide it into 3 bigger pieces and 5 smaller ones. Roll each piece into a rope, about an inch thick. Braid the 3 larger pieces and pinch ends together. Braid 3 of the smaller ropes, press ends together, and place on top of the large braid. Twist the last 2 pieces together and place on top of the second braid.

Cover with a cloth and let it prove in a warm place for about an hour. Heat the oven to 180 °C. Brush the bread with egg wash and sprinkle with almonds. Bake approximately 45 minutes. Let it cool down. You can also dust it with icing sugar.

Diphaphatha - Stovetop muffins

A recipe shared by Lesogo Connie Magole - a member of the SWE community

Diphaphatha are so simple to make and come together in less than 30 minutes, and that includes 15 minutes of resting time (for both the dough and you).

Combine ingredients in large bowl, kneading dough for about 3 minutes.
Cover dough and leave to rest for 15 minutes.
Roll out dough and cut into circles.
Cook dough circles on hot pan for about 2 minutes per side and serve!

Ingredients

SERVINGS 8 muffins

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder (or 1 tsp yeast)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp white sugar
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tbsp butter

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

Slowly add in milk to flour mixture and stir to combine. Knead for 3 minutes until a soft, smooth dough has formed.

Cover dough and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Dust bench with flour and roll out dough to half a centimetre thick.

Use a round cookie cutter or bowl with sharp edges to cut rounds, around 8cm in diameter.

Heat a flat pan over high heat. Add one tablespoon of butter. Once melted, reduce heat to medium.

Place as many dough rounds as you can fit on the pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side or until they go slightly brown and puffy.

Leave for a few minutes before slicing in half and serving with your favourite toppings!

"Tuesday's bread cooled in the fridge overnight, sliced on a heavy wooden board, cut with a sharp serrated bread saw.  First 2 slices toasted with lashings of butter, the rest placed in the freezer."

Peter Harvey, facilitator.