Christianity is the primary religion of the Italians for ages barring the Italian Coptic Christians since they do not actually practice the religion. Religion has been playing an important role in the lives of the Italians for a long time.
Some of the traditional practices connected with Christianity are seen even today among the Italian people in that they are holding tight to such practices. The Easter holiday is one of the most important celebrations in the year.
Italians are famous for the method they celebrate Easter with pomp and splendour and they celebrate it with good food items too. Since Easter occurs after a forty day period of lent that involves fasting, it is understandably celebrated with delectable food.
Italian Easter Cuisine stands for the special food items that is made for Easter. Italian Easter bread is the most popular among the various types of food prepared for Easter.
It takes only one hour to prepare the Italian Easter bread. If you want to follow the old Swiss and Italian methods of preparation then it may take more time as significance is given to decorative food substances such as eggs to give the bread an additional festive appearance.
You don’t need a whole lot of fancy ingredients to make your selves the ideal Italian Easter bread just some very wholesome ones. All purpose flour, active dry yeast, milk, margarine, eggs and the usual items like sugar and salt. The particular ingredients are mixed candied fruit, blanched almonds and a teaspoon of anise seeds.
Start off by mixing one cup of flour, yeast, sugar and salt in one adequate mixing bowl. To this you will add some milk and butter and then beat the mixture for around two minutes. Make sure not to completely liquidize the mixture. It is desirable to beat them on medium. After adding 2 eggs and another half cup of flour beat it on high for another two minutes. When the mixture is ready add the fruit, aniseeds and nuts in the bowl and combine it well. Add the remaining flour to the bowl and get the contents to become soft dough that can be worked upon.
Take the dough out and place it upon a worktop. Knead the flour for nearly six to eight minutes until it becomes smooth and flexible. Nicely lubricate a bowl and place the dough inside the bowl. Put a cover on the greased bowl and leave it to rise in a warm place and after about an hour you will see it doubled.
Uncooked coloured eggs can be added now if you wish. Bake the bread for around half an hour in an oven in 350 degrees and hurray! Your Italian Easter bread is ready to eat.
Home baked Italian Easter bread is simply one of several delicious dished prepared during Easter. For information on homemade Italian Easter cookies please click the preceding link.