Preparation Time:45 minutes
Cooking Time:30 minutes
Level of Difficulty:Easy
Servings:4

Ingredients

• •    1 packet active dry yeast                       
• •    3 tablespoons warm water
• •    125m warm milk
• •    2 tablespoons melted butter
• •    1 teaspoon salt
• •    1 teaspoon aniseed, crushed
• •    1 large egg, beaten
• •    3 tablespoons sugar
• •    1 dessertspoon grated orange rind
• •    750g flour
• •    (Optional) 1 hard boiled egg, dyed red
•    For the glaze:
• •    1 tablespoon of butter melted
• •    1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Method

1. 1.    In a large bowl dissolve the yeast with warm water, add the rest of the ingredients (except the flour and the hard-boiled egg) and stir well.  Add the flour and mix well. When the mixture is stiff, turn out on a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth. 
2. 2.    Rinse and dry thoroughly. Grease a bowl and place the dough turning it so that its entire surface is oiled. Cover with cling film and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in size. 
3. 3.    Place the dough on a floured surface, and punch it down.  Knead briefly and divide it in three equal parts.  Roll each part into a 60cm long rope.  Braid the ropes together and pinch the ends securely.
4. 4.    Place the egg in the centre of the braided bread, cover with a damp kitchen cloth and return to a warm place for about an hour.
5. 5.    Preheat the oven 180C (340F/Gas Mark4) and bake the bread for 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter; sprinkle sesame seeds on top.