Baking Choices

Crusty Sesame Bread Rings with Cheese & Oregano (a.k.a. Koulouri Thessalonikis)

crusty-sesame-bread-rings-with-cheese-and-oregano-koulouri-thessalonikis
Prepare time: 1 hr
Passive time: 1 hr 30min
Bake time: 15 min
Ready in: 2 hr 45 min
Yield: 8 servings

So simple, yet so perfect! These famous bread rings are basically made from a simple bread dough. What makes them so special, is their crunchy texture and the lovely taste of the baked sesame. You can eat them plain, with fruit or vegetable salad or your favourite cheese. This recipe is a savoury version enriched with kasseri cheese and flavored with dried oregano & garlic. Simply perfect… Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 300 g all purpose flour
  • 170 ml warm water
  • 15 g fresh yeast (or 4g dry)
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • 40 g kasseri cheese, finely grated
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 500 ml water
  • 50 g sugar
  • a bowl of sesame

Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl put flour, salt, oregano and garlic.

2
Add the 2tsp of sugar and the yeast to the warm water. Stir until the yeast dissolves.

3
In the bowl with the flour add tahini, yeast mixture and cheese. Mix for a few minutes until the dough starts to form and the sides of your bowl are clean.

4
Take the dough out onto your working bench and knead for 10 min until it’s soft & smooth. Shape into a ball and put in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1hr in a warm spot.

5
Combine sugar with water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

6
Gently deflate the dough. Weigh and cut it into 8 equal pieces.

7
Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Then roll each ball into a rope, 30cm / 12” long.

8
Dip the pieces into water. Then toss them in sesame until they’re well coated. Transfer onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

9
Shape each rope into a ring and pinch the two edges. Cover and let them rest for 20min in room temperature.

10
Meanwhile, strain the wet sesame well and spread it on a large baking tray. Let it dry completely and keep it in a glass container till next time.

11
Bake in a preheated oven, at 230°C / 450°F, middle position, for 15 to 16min. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

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