FASTING BREAD RECIPE FROM MEDJUGORJE
3 cups white flour
4 cups wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 cup of lukewarm water
2 cups of very hot water
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar or Honey
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of butter, melted or very soft
1 cup Raisins (or fresh apple peeled and cut)
1 cup Almonds or Walnuts
1 cup Plain Oats
In a medium-sized bowl, stir yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water (110°F-115°F) until completely dissolved. Cover with a plate and let mixture stand until yeast begins to foam vigorously (5 – 10 minutes).
In a large bowl, combine the flours. Make a well in the flour and add the yeast mixture. Mix a bit.
Reusing the now empty medium bowl, combine Salt, Sugar, Butter, Oil, Raisins, Nuts, 1 beaten egg, and two cups of very hot water. Pour this over the yeast mixture. Mix/knead the dough, adding flour and or water as needed.
[You can do this manually, the good old-fashioned way if you like, but I use my Mix Master with the dough hook. I don't think that is cheating. :-)]
Knead the dough until it comes clean from the bowl. Cover with a plate or towel and let it rise ten minutes. [The person who shared this recipe said they often skip this step and the bread still tastes fine, but I like to give it a rest.]
Gently punch the dough down and knead it again a bit until it has spring to it. [You'll just have to pray about what having "spring to it" means. Ask your guardian angel to help you know when this is. I haven't made this recipe in a while so I can't give you a better clue at this time. Sorry.]
Place in a well-greased bowl and cover, letting it rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on room temperature.
Form into desired shapes. This will make two large or three medium loaves.
Place in greased pan. Brush the top with the remaining egg [that was left in the cup you beat it in before adding it to the recipe or go ahead and beat another egg if you don't have enough to cover the dough.] Sprinkle with sesame seeds, oats, or poppy seeds if desired.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until done.
