Braided Fruit Wreath Recipes

Steps:

• Make the dip: Heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water and the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are soft and caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool slightly.
• Combine the shallots, yogurt, milk, chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and stir until well blended. Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving. The dip will keep, refrigerated, overnight if you want to make ahead of time.
• While the dip chills, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and season generously with salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside.
• Carefully place the broccoli or broccolini into the boiling water, and cook just until the florets turn bright green and are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Place the green beans in the boiling water and cook just until the beans turn bright green, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the green beans to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking and to preserve the bright green color. Once cool, transfer the green beans to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Add the Romanesco cauliflower to the boiling water and cook just until the cauliflower turns bright green and is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the cauliflower to the ice-water bath to cool, then to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil, shishito peppers and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, tossing, until they begin to blister in spots, about 2 minutes. (Do not overcook the peppers or they will lose their color and become too soft.) Remove the peppers from the pan and set aside to cool.
• On a round platter 18 inches in diameter, arrange the broccoli, green beans, cauliflower and shishito peppers into a large ring with a hole in the center to create a ¿wreath¿ shape, making sure to alternate the vegetables throughout. Add three clusters of cherry tomatoes (three tomatoes per cluster) to create accent "ornaments." Serve with the onion dip.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment and sprinkle with a thin layer of cornmeal.
• On a floured work surface, roll out the 3 dough portions into 3 long ropes. Line the 3 ropes up next to each other with the top ends overlapping and the bottom ends about 3 inches apart. Pinch the top ends. Braid the ropes together; pull the left section over to the center, then hold the old center section with your left hand and pull it to the side. Finally, bring the right section over the center. Repeat the process, alternating sides, until the entire length of bread is braided. Join both ends to form a round wreath.
• Transfer the dough wreath to the parchment lined sheet pan. Dust with flour, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let proof in a warm spot for 45 minutes.
• In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, and cheese. Set aside. Beat the egg with the water in a small bowl, and set aside
• Bake the bread wreath in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the bread from the oven, and brush it with the olive oil mixture. Put it back in the oven, and bake it for an additional 20 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of baking, coat the entire wreath with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add the eggs, orange juice and zest; beat until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a 30-in. rope. Braid the ropes; shape into a wreath and pinch ends to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool., In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, orange juice and zest; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with cranberries.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast. In a saucepan, heat milk, sugar, butter and salt to 120°-130°; add to flour mixture. Add egg. Beat on low speed with electric mixture for 30 seconds; increase speed to medium and continue beating for 3 minutes. Stir in raisins, candied fruit, nuts an enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Divide dough in thirds, then divide each into thirds again. Roll each piece into a 15-in. rope. Place 3 ropes 1 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Begin braiding loosely in the middle and work toward the ends. Pinch ends together and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-40 minutes. Combine egg yolk and water; brush over braids. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until browned. Cool on wire racks.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, sugar, butter, 1 egg, orange zest, salt, extract and 1 cup flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 20-in. rope. Braid the ropes; shape into a wreath and pinch ends to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., For glaze, beat egg; lightly brush over dough. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool.