Moldovan Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons sunflower oil (or other neutral oil)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups flour

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl mix the warm water, sugar, the yeast, and a cup of flour. mix it with a spoon until smooth. let stand for about 15 minutes - you should start to see the yeast begin to work.
• 2 mix in the oil and the salt. start adding the rest of the flour, mixing until it is incorporated and the dough comes together.
• 3 turn out onto a floured surface (i usually use an oiled surface for kneading) and knead until you have a smooth dough, about 10 minutes.
• 4 place in a greased bowl, cover and let stand in a warm place until the dough is doubled.
• 5 turn out of bowl onto floured surface. deflate the dough by kneading gently and let rest 15 minutes.
• 6 divide dough into six pieces and shape each piece into a rope. braid three pieces into a loaf; repeat with remaining pieces.
• 7 place each braid into a greased loaf pan, cover and let rise until nearly doubled.
• 8 preheat oven to 400 deg f (200 deg c)
• 9 bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• 10 turn out of pans and brush with a little oil.