Koulouria Greek Sesame Galettes Recipes

GREEK SESAME BREAD RINGS RECIPE (KOULOURI THESSALONIKIS)

Steps:

• To prepare these Greek sesame bread rings recipe, start by making the dough. In the mixer's bowl add the lukewarm water, the yeast and sugar and stir. Wrap well with plastic wrap and set aside for about 8-10 minutes, until the yeast starts bubbling. Into the same bowl, add first the flour, then the salt and olive oil. Using the dough hook, mix all the ingredients at low speed for about 7 minutes, until the dough becomes an elastic ball. When done, remove the dough from the hook and check out its texture. It should be smooth and elastic and slightly sticky. If it is too sticky, add just a little more flour (1/2 tsp), mix and check again.
• Coat lightly a bowl with some olive oil, place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough sit in warm place for about 30 minutes. Knead the dough again at medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes.
• Turn the dough onto a working surface and divide into 12 pieces. Take one piece of the dough and roll out into a rope approx. 35cm long. Form a circle and join the ends pinching them together. Place the bread ring on a large baking tray, lined up with parchment paper and repeat with the rest of the dough. (You will need two large baking trays.)
• Prepare the ingredients for the garnish. In one bowl pour some water. In a separate bowl or tray place the sesame seeds. Dip the koulouria (bread rings) in water and then in sesame seeds, making sure to cover them on all sides. Place them back on your baking sheets, leaving some distance between them. Let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. (For garnish you can also petimezi for extra flavour. Use 1/3 of a cup petimezi diluted in 1/4 of cup water and dip the bread rings first in the petimezi mixture and then in sesame seeds.)
• Bake in preheated oven at 200C for about 15 minutes, until nicely golden brown and crusty. Enjoy!

KOULOURIA -- GREEK SESAME GALETTES

Steps:

• In a small container, stir the yeast into 1/2 cup of warm water, then whisk in 1/4 cup of flour to make the sponge. Leave it in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
• When sponge is ready, in a large mixing bowl whisk together the remaining flour & the salt, then make a well in the center.
• Into the well, add the sponge, along with 3-4 tablespoons water, the oil & sugar, gradually incorporating the flour into the other ingredients.
• Knead for 10-15 minutes or until the dough is smooth & elastic, then leave it in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• When ready, punch the dough down & divide it into 8 pieces. Lightly flour a working surface AND hands & roll each piece into a sausage shape, then let rest 10-15 minutes.
• After that, roll the dough into a longer sausage shape ~ You will probably have to let the rolls rest once more in order to stretch them to the length they need to be, 20-25 inches long.
• During the 15 minutes that the dough is resting for the last time, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the sesame seeds in a large baking dish & have the egg whites ready in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Dip the long rolls into the egg white & then roll them in the sesame seeds. Twist 2 of them together & join the ends to form a ring about 4-5 inches in diameter. Shape the remaining rolls in the same way, then let them rise for about half an hour.
• About half way through this rising, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• When ready, bake the galettes for 15-20 minutes or until golden & slightly crisp on the outside. Let cool on a wire rack & serve at room temperature the same day OR freeze for later use. Simply reheat before serving any that have been frozen & then defrosted.

KOULóURIA (GREEK SESAME BREAD RINGS)

Steps:

• Mix all ingrdients EXCEPT sesame seeds to form a dough and knead by hand for approximately 10 minutes.
• You might need to add a little more flour, the dough should be soft but not sticky.
• Cover and let dough rise for about 30-50 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
• Meanwhile preheat oven (440°F, 225°C) and grease baking tray or cover it with baking paper. Put a wide ovenproof dish filled with hot water on the bottom of the oven to have steam, which will make for a better result.
• Knead dough a second time and divide into 8 portions.
• Form each part into 13-14 inch long roll (about 3/4-1 inch thick). Shape into rings and press ends together.
• Put some warm water into a large bowl. Put sesame seeds on a plate.
• Carefully dip rings into warm water and then into sesame seeds to cover them on both sides.
• Put rings on baking tray and let rise for another 10 minutes.
• Bake for about 25-35 minutes.
• Koulóuria are done, when they are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely.