Honoring Brigid

Brigid Bread

This is a wonderful bread.

2 tblsp. yeast
1/2 cup warm water
pinch of sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegatable oil
1 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, passed throuh garlic press
1/2 tsp. each dried oregano, thyme, and basil
4 tblsp. tomato paste
water
5-6 cups unbleached flour
1 egg yolk, beaten


Dissolve the yeast in warm water sprinkled with the pinch of sugar.
Combine the milk, egg, sugar, oil, salt, garlic, and herbs in a large
bowl. In a measuring cup, place the tomato paste and add water until it
reaches the 1/2 cup point. Pour into the milk mixture and stir well. Add
the yeast mixture. Begin adding flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough
can no longer be stirred. Turn out onto a floured boardand knead,
continuing to add flour the keep the dough barely dry. This is a loose
and soft dough, so be careful how much flour y ou add. Don't let it get
stiff! Place the dough in an oiled bowl and turn it over to coat both
sides. Let it rise until doubled, about 45 minutes to an hour. Then,
punch it down. cut the dough in half, divide each half into thirds, then
roll into thick coils. Braid three coils into a loaf and pinch the ends
together. Set on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the other
three coils. When the loaves have doubled in size, paint all surfaces
with the egg yolk and bake for 35 minutes in a preheated 375 degrees oven, or until the internal temperature of bread measures 200 degrees.

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Bride's (Brigid) Bouquet Sachets

:
Imbolc Potpourri Below
1 Yard White Netting Material
Yellow and Pink 1/8" width Ribbon
Scissors

Potpourri is made with:
1/2 cup dried basil
1/2 cup dried chopped bay leaves,
1 cup dried Heather flowers
1 cup dried Violets
1 cup dried white or pink rosebuds

Blend together in non-metal bowl. Cut netting material into 4"x4"
squares. Lay out squares on a flat surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon
of potpourri in the middle of each square. Pull up all the corners to
the middle of the potpourri and gather the excess material until
potpourri is caught in a "bag". Give bag on twist to the right and tie
off with yellow or pink ribbon. Use enough ribbon to make a small bow in
the front of the sachet. Tell children how these sachets were exchanged
as symbols of good luck and fertility.