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Dec 25, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(Thank you everyone for helping get this to FoodBuzz Top 9)



Here's to everyone ... A Very Merry Christmas and a Delicious New Year!
We get Christmas earlier than the folks further West on the globe.
We had our usual Christmas eve dinner instead of Christmas day ... Christmas day is for church and then zzzz ...
Gosh! We really need that this time round. The last couple of days were crazy with work days of nearly 15 hours each and then baking stuff for the dinner and some gifts for the old folks home nearby, etc. Tennis never gave me such cramps on my feet ... ouch.
And to top it all off, I slipped and sprained my ankle in the bath. Yup, Christmas day is zzz day.
But, crazy as it was, we had a great time, work and otherwise, meeting interesting new friends and making little ol' ladies and men happy with the baked gifts. Some of my kind hearted friends also came along and distributed some needy items. I never thought I'd be so happy to see so many gummy smiles!
Anyway, this year's turkey was roasted by mum-in-law (pic below, of the turkey, not mum inlaw), she's 80 and a bit (mum inlaw, not the turkey), very capable and when necessary, can still give a vicious "sink battleship" stare that will bring some kids she's giving private English tuition to, to tears. It's also our very first time having Australian turkey. Usually , we get the US Butterballs. No regrets. Go Oz!
It was a great dinner complete with some stuff I contributed ... breadrolls wreath (recipe below), an orange custard pudding with ice cream (unfortunately, this got gobbled up before I could take a pic). And some good wine to boot.
Needless to say, we were all stuffed (like the turkey before it got massacred) and happy, and now, I'm going to open my presents!
Happy Holidays, everyone!

* I decided to use my temperature-wonky bread maker to do the kneading for this recipe.
I have also listed the ingredients in the order they are to be added.
I have kept this recipe plain (other than the sprinklings on the outside) with no nuts, fruits or herbs so that it doesn't interfere with the flavors of the main dish. (I didn't have a clue what kinda stuffing mum inlaw was making).

INGREDIENTS

250 ml milk
60 g butter, melted (I just zapped it in the microwave)
2 eggs, beaten
560 g high protein flour / bread flour
1 tsp bread improver (optional)
2 tbs caster sugar
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp instant yeast

For topping:
egg glaze, made with 1 egg yolk + 1 tbs milk
blue poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, anything you like ...

METHOD

Line a baking pan with parchment.

Place ingredients into bread machine bin in the order it's listed. Set it on "Dough" setting.
When the cycle is complete (this should also include the first rising), remove and punch down to remove air bubbles.
Divide dough into half, and the halves into quarters. Keep dividing them up until you get about 16 - 18 pieces. Shape them into balls and place them in a circular shape just touching each other. Do not cramp them too close together. Leave to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 200˚C.
Brush tops with glaze and sprinkle topping of your choice.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 mins. Cover the top with aluminum foil (this prevents it from turning overly brown) and bake a further 10 - 15 mins.
You'll know when bread is ready when there's a hollow sound when tapped at the bottom.
Remove from pan immediately and cool on rack. Enjoy it warm or cool completely before storing.

* I'd made my wreath using just 12 balls of dough. So, I had enough leftover to make a small loaf. You can always make a bigger ring but you'll need a very wide tray.






34 comments:

  1. Beautiful bread ! Maybe I'll hang on my wall for decoration.. pity to eat :))
    happy holiday ! :D

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  2. IndonesianInTurkey: Oooo, you're fast! Thanks and a Happy holidays to you too!

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  3. Very table setting/arrangement. The bread sounds like it will be moist and buttery, like brioche. All the best for 2011, hope it brings happiness and peace, and lots of good eating and blogging:)

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  4. ThreeCookies: Hello and thanks for the greetings. A Happy and Yummy New Year to you too. This bread is not too buttery at all, not like the brioche, which has a lot more eggs and butter. It's more like Parker House rolls.

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  5. Merry Christmas! This looks super beautiful as always :)

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  6. Hey, Kita. Thanks and a Merry Christmas to you too!

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  7. what a beautiful Christmas bread wreath! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! Merry Christmas!
    Dennis

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  8. MomKidsLove: Hi and thanks for visiting. Happy Holidays!

    ChefDennis: Nice to meet you. Thank you and Happy Holidays to you!

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  9. Happy Christmas Ping! Your bread is gorgeous as is your table (love the dishes). Hoping you've had a lovely time and will enjoy a great New Year as well. So glad we've met this year!

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  10. Gorgeous bread! I love the addition of the poppyseeds, and beautiful presentation! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas :)!

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  11. BLocavore: Happy Christmas to you too! The dishes belong to my ever so traditional mum inlaw. And yes we had a lovely time as I'm sure you did with your loved ones. Happy Holidays!

    Amy: Hiya! Thanks, Happy Holidays!

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  12. Hi Ping-What a beautiful Christmas bread wreath!
    Almost too pretty to eat. Looks like you had quite a feast at your house. Love the table settings. First time I've seen a photo of your kitty. So sweet, and adorable!
    Also, thanks for the Stylish Award mention about me.
    Have a wonderful week, my dear friend, New Year's Eve is just around the corner!

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  13. Absolutely gorgeous Ping! You have such a gorgeous sense of style!

    Hope you had a beautiful and merry Christmas

    x Pia

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  14. Hi Elisabeth and thanks! Yeah, we had tons to eat and still had plenty of leftovers. We always seem to get carried away cooking during festive seasons. Looking forward to improvising on turkey leftovers!
    The kitty pic is of the stray I was telling you about. I will be posting a pic of my fat baby soon ... I hope. Prince looks so handsome and dignified...and healthy for 18. A very fitting name.
    Wishing you a lovely 2011. (There'll be more eating for sure in a few days) :D

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  15. Hi Pia! So nice of you to visit. And thank you! Yes, we had a lovely Christmas. Here's wishing you a great year ahead esp in june, or is it july ... bet you can't wait, eh? I'm so excited for you! Hug!

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  16. Beautiful turkey! And a beautiful table. Sounds like a wonderful day! Merry Christmas to you!

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  17. Hi Kim. Thanks! Happy Holidays and a great new year ahead!
    (Oh, for some reason, I can't seem to post a comment on your recent post.)

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  18. Beautiful bread Ping, I love the pumpkin seed flowers on it! Happy New Year 2011 - and let's stay in touch and exchange culinary experiences also in the new year! ^_^

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  19. Happy 2011 to you too, Alina. And may we all have a delicious year ahead sharing our recipes. Will definitely stay in touch, no worries about that :D

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  20. I bet everyone was happy if they got anything like this!! Looks amazing!

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  21. Tryanythingonce: Hi! Thanks for the comment. Everyone was happy at Christmas dinner but I doubt it was the bread ... more like too much wine! :D Happy 2011!

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  22. BoulderL: Hi! Thanks! Great way to end the year :D

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  23. Sounds like a super busy schedule there. ;) Time for some downtime to recover. Beautiful job on this.

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  24. Hi Briarrose. Thanks. Yeah, it was a little crazy there. Now almost recovered ... almost. Happy 2011 to you!

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  25. What a beautiful bread. Hope you had a lovely Holidays.
    Chow for now

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  26. Tomato Snob ... what a cute name! Thanks for visiting. Happy holidays to you too!

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  27. That is one very gorgeous bread so fitting for the season...great look turkey too:D Bet your mum in law looks good for her age too ya;) Hope your New Year is as happy as your Christmas:D

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  28. Hi Jeannie. Thanks! and yes, mum inlaw is still an elegant looking lady. Happy 2011 to you too!

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  29. ping,
    That bread deserves to be TOP 9 indeed! LOVELY! Nice table setting and good looking roast turkey! Have a SWELL New Year!

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  30. QPC: Thanks! A Delicious new year to you!

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  31. Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely recipe, as well as a gorgeous tablescape! Cheers to a wonderful and delicious 2011!!

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  32. Hi Scarletta. Nice of you to drop by. Always happy to share. Wishing you a wonderful 2011 too!

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