Directions: |
Directions:In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Combine milk, water and butter in a saucepan; place over low heat and stir until mixture is very warm to the touch. Gradually add this to the flour mixture and beat for 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs and one more cup flour-beat for 2 minutes. Stir in orange rind and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead dough for 5-10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean dishtowel. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough down, knead a few times and let rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes. Punch down once again. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead for about 1 minute, until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a strip 28 inches long. Braid the strips together. Shape the braid into a ring. Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush lightly with oil, cover and put in a warm place to rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes. While it bakes, beat remaining egg with 1 Tbsp. water. When bread has baked for 20 minutes, brush lightly with the egg mixture and bake 5 minutes more. Brush again and bake until the bread in golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, about 5 more minutes. Remove the bread from the pan and let cool on a wire rack. |