Greek Simiti / Koulouria

I am very happy that Eggless Bakers Group has completed two years and I myself have been a member of this group  for almost a year now. This group has taught me a lot . I first used to stay away from bakes which include eggs as my mother in law doesn't eat eggs. But with this group I have successfully learnt to substitute eggs without compromising on texture and taste. So thanks a lot gayathri for including me in this wonderful group and wish you many more successful years of eggless baking . 

This month we are making a Greek sweet bread called Simita or Koulouria . These actually are big ring like structures though I have made small rings . This bread is suggested by Priya Suresh . Thanks Priya and Gayathri for this yummy bread ring.

Original Recipe : My Little Expat Kitchen

Ingredients :


For the dough :

2 tsp................dried active yeast
100 ml.............warm water
50 ml ..............warm milk
2 tbsp..............sugar
1 cup..............wheat flour
1 1/2 cup..........all purpose flour
2 tbsp...............thick sour curds ( to substitute 1 egg )
2 tbsp + 1 tsp...oil
1/2 tsp..............salt

For the coating :

1 cup ................dry toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup..............black currant crush ( diluted with 1 tbsp water )


Method :

In a bowl add yeast, sugar and 2 tbsp warm water.

Mix the yeast with fingers and make a paste.

Now add remaining warm water, both the flours, curds, oil, milk and salt in this order.

Now knead the dough for almost 10 minutes with your hands.

The dough should be soft , elastic but non sticky.

You can add more flour to achieve the above consistency.

Now apply oil to dough and keep it in greased bowl.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rice for 1 hour or till double in size.

Take sesame seeds and diluted black currant crush in two separate wide plates.

After the dough has doubled knead it and make 10  to 12 equal balls .

Roll each ball to a long rope as shown in picture.

Fold it and braid the two strands and form a ring .

Press the ends with water to stick.

Dip this ring first in diluted crush and then coat it well with sesame seeds.

Keep them on greased baking tray .

Bake 5 to 6 at a time in a preheated oven for 20 minutes at 180 degrees .

Keep the rings well separated as they rise while baking.

Serve warm or cold .