Cardamom Bread

Photo: flickr user hfb

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups milk

2 teaspoons active yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

Whole cardamom ground to make 1 tsp. freshly ground cardamom

4 eggs, beaten lightly

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

8 cups unbleached flour

1/2 cup clarified unsalted butter

Preparation

In small saucepan scald milk and cool. Sprinkle yeast over warm water and stir in 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Grind cardamom. Beat milk, eggs, 1 cup sugar, cardamom and salt. Place 8 cups of flour in bowl and place yeast in center. Stir around edge of yeast mixture. Slowly add egg - milk continuing to add flour from edges once there is a smooth creamy looking dough in center of bowl, let dough stand for few minutes covered with a cloth. Stir in melted butter. Then remaining flour. Put dough on floured surface and knead until dough is smooth.

Heat glass bowl. Grease bowl and place dough in it. Cover with plastic towel, let stand until doubled. Punch down again and let rise again. Divide dough in 3 equal parts. Knead each part lightly to remove air bubbles.

Divide each of the 3 parts into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into 10-12 inch ropes, out of 9 lengths. Use 3 ropes to make 1 braided loaf. Place loaves on a greased baking sheet and let rise until loaves double in size. 45 minutes to 1 hour. Brush each braided loaf with an egg wash (1 part egg white to 3 parts water.) Bake loaves in 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.