Bulgarian Christmas bread
Traditionally lenten on Christmas Eve
Ingredients:
500 g flour (mixture of black and white flour)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon sugar
1 level tablespoon of baking soda
1 cup warm water
1-2 tablespoons of vinegar
50 ml oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon neutral oil
Preparation:
Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well. Sprinkle with salt, sugar and baking soda. Then pour the liquid ingredients into the well and gradually assemble the two mixtures. Knead a soft dough (adding a little more flour) and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm corner.
Butter and flour a round baking dish (20 cm). Keep a small ball of dough and shape the rest in a round bread. Fit it into the dish. Roll out the small ball of dough and cut out Christmas figures (trees, stars, snowflakes, etc.). Stick to the bread with beaten honey and oil. It is also possible to just decorate the lenten bread with 2 forks, pinching the dough so as to make a net (like on the photo).
Bake the Bulgarian Christmas bread in a preheated to 180°C oven for 35-45 minutes or until crisp and golden.
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, all the dishes that are served on the Bulgarian table are lenten. This is the recipe for the traditional bread