If you’ve ever found yourself walking the streets of Athens or Thessaloniki’s then you can’t have missed on all the street vendors selling these popular sesame bread rings. The famous Greek Koulouri are sold almost everywhere! On every street corner and every bakery, being probably the most popular breakfast for Greeks, along with a hot cup of Greek coffee or a Frappe coffee. Many Greeks will enjoy a warm Koulouri as a snack any time of day.
Koulouris come in every size and cater to all tastes and preferences. There are the small palm sized, hard baked whole grain ones to the larger ones that are made with or without sesame seeds, crunchy or soft, braided, plain or with various savoury or sweet fillings. They are traditionally made from wheat flour (although corn and multi grain flour are also used), yeast, water, salt and sugar and baked to golden crispiness. The fillings can range from different types of cheese, tomato and olives, ham and tahini to jams and chocolate, and provide a healthy meal in itself.
For health conscious Greeks and visitors, the nutrition packed koulouri offers an excellent choice. The health benefits of the sesame seeds that cover them are numerous. The vitamins (B1, B2 and B5), minerals and natural oils in the seeds fulfil part of our daily requirements. The magnesium present helps lower our blood sugar levels, improve our lung health and aids in combating disease. Zinc helps promotes healthy skin, hair and muscle while calcium boosts bone health.
So why not treat yourself to this traditional snack on the go the next time you’re in Greece or make your own at home to enjoy this delicious treat all year round.
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup whole sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of your electric mixer combine the dry yeast, two tablespoons of flour, sugar and mix well. Add the water, stir to combine and let it foam for 10-15 minutes.
- When it foams, add in the remaining flour, tahini, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. With the dough attachment, knead for at least 10-15 minutes, until a pliable and elastic dough is formed. Next let the dough rise in a warm place until tripled in volume, this can take up to 3 hours.
- Place sesame in a fine sieve, rinse with water and transfer to a wide plate. Mix it with a tablespoon of brown sugar and stir well. Line two pans with baking paper.
- Punch dough to deflate and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a strand, a little thicker than your index finger and pinch the ends to create a ring. Roll the rings into the sesame seeds, pressing gently to stick and transfer onto the baking pan.
- Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C) and let the bagels rest for about 15 minutes, until they rise slightly (you don’t want them to double in size, because you’ll end up with bread).
- Spray them with water and bake in a fan-forced oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Spray with water one more time half-way through baking. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a rack before serving.
The Greek Deli
Visit our dedicated e-shop and check out our plethora of delicious Greek food items available both for cooking as well as immediate consumption. The Greek Deli stocks artisanal products, including Greek juices, tsoureki, egg dyes, olive oils, wines, cheeses, and mezedes. In addition, ready meals (such as pastitsio and gemista), sweets (such as baklava and kourabiedes), and Greek coffee (Loumidis) can be found in our online shop. We even stock beloved Greek chocolates and cookies. Furthermore, brands such as Lacta, Ion, Sokofreta, and Gemista cookies, as well as an impressive selection of Greek wines. You can purchase and customise our unique Greek gift boxes, with your favourite products or pre-made. One box includes extra virgin olive oil, two bottles of wine and two jars of olive paste. Along with roasted peppers, honey, chilies, and balsamic vinegar. Perfect for sending the best of Greek tastes to a distant beloved!).
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