Ethiopean Honey Spice Bread

How to Make

• Step 1: In a small, shallow bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the lukewarm water.

• Step 2: Let the mixture stand for 2-3 minutes and then stir to dissolve the yeast completely.

• Step 3: Set the bowl in a warm, draft-free place for approximately 5 minutes or until the yeast bubbles up and the mixture almost doubles in volume.

• Step 4: Combine the egg, honey, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a deep bowl.

• Step 5: Mix together with a wire whisk and add the yeast mixture, milk and 4 tablespoons of the melted butter, beating until the ingredients are well blended.

• Step 6: Now stir in the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, using only as much as is necessary to make a dough that can be gathered into a soft ball.

• Step 7: When the dough becomes too stiff to stir easily, blend in the additional flour with your fingers.

• Step 8: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough by folding it end to end, then pressing it down and pushing it forward several times with the heel of your hand.

• Step 9: Rub your hands with a little melted butter if the dough sticks to the board or your fingers, but do not use any extra flour, lest the dough becomes stiff and hard.

• Step 10: Continue kneading for approximately 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

• Step 11: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly buttered bowl.

• Step 12: Drape a warm damp kitchen towel over the bowl and set in a warm, draft-free spot for approximately 1 hour or until the dough rises and doubles in bulk.

• Step 13: With a pastry brush, spread the remaining melted butter evenly over the bottom and sides of a 3-quart baking dish at least 3 inches deep.

• Step 14: Punch the dough down with a single blow of your fist, and then knead it again for 1-2 minutes.

• Step 15: Shape the dough roughly into a round and place it in the buttered baking dish, pressing it down into the corners so that it covers the bottom of the dish completely.

• Step 16: Return the dough to the warm, draft-free place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in bulk and risen at least as high as the top rim of the dish.

• Step 17: Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees F.

• Step 18: Bake the bread in the middle of the oven for 50-60 minutes, until the top is crusty and light golden brown.

• Step 19: Turn the honey bread out of the pan onto a cake rack to cool.