Paska (Russian Easter Bread)
Ingredients :
1 package or 1 T. yeast
3/4 cup potato water (cook 1 large chopped potato in water, drain, reserve
water)
1/2 cup or more mashed potatoes (mash above potato while warm)
2 cups flour (plus more to make soft dough)
2 1/2 cups warm milk
7 or 8 eggs
1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. orange rind
a few drops vanilla
Instructions :
Soften yeast in lukewarm potato water for 10 minutes. Add a bit of flour to make
a soft sponge. In the meantime, pour warm milk over 2 cups flour. Beat until
smooth. Cool slightly. Beat egg yolks with 1 cup sugar and add warm flour
mixture. Add stiffly beaten egg whites. Add yeast mixture. Let rise till light.
Add softened margarine, salt, 1 cup sugar and mashed potatoes. Add enough flour
to make a medium-soft dough. (It will be a bit sticky; if too sticky add flour,
but don't overdo flour.) Knead 10 minutes. Cover and let rise to double its
bulk. Put on greased pans. (May shape into round loaves, or braids.) Cover and
let rise again. Bake at 325 F until golden. Don't burn.
This is a traditional sweet bread that Russian Mennonites enjoy at Easter!