I have always been fascinated with fancy braids. In my college dorm I used to braid my roommates long hair. My daughter has waist length hair but she would not let me play with it. Then I found braided bread. I really like the bread with 8 or 9 strands. Today I present braided bread with 6, 8 and 9 strands along with a 4 strand round bread.
The turtle was made by my daughter. She said the round braid looked so much like a turtle she had to give it a head, hands and feet. It was a lot of fun making these as my daughter was a very willing participant. Guess she loves braiding as much as I do.
You will need
Dough prepared using my basic dough recipe
To make the braided bread you need rolled strands. I find it it easiest to roll the dough in a flat rectangle, cut out strips and roll each one into shape.
This gives me ropes of the same size and diameter that are evenly finished. To start place all the ropes parallel to one another. Bring one edge together and squeeze together. Now you are ready to begin.
To make the 9 strand braid
Start on the right. Place the right most strand to the left over the next two adjacent strands and under the following two strands. Do the same with the left most strand.
Repeat this process and the braid will start to appear.
Continue to the end as far as you can go. Tuck all the strands together under the dough to finish. Cut off about a half inch at the end from which you started and tuck the strands under.
For the 8 strand braid
Before you begin arrange the 8 strands the same way you would for the 9 strand bread. Pick up the rightmost strand and place it over the top of all the other strands to the left. Repeat with the leftmost strand.
Now place the right strand in the middle of the remaining strands. Place the new rightmost strand over to the left. Place the leftmost strand in the middle of the remaining strands and place the new leftmost strand to the right.
Continue to the end. Finish similar to the 9 strand braid. The finished 8 and 9 strand braids look like this.
For the 6 strand braid
This is very similar to the 8 strand braid except you have 2 fewer strands to work with.
For the 4 strand round braid and turtle
The 4 strand round braided bread is a little different from the above. To start place the 4 strands as shown in the picture below.
Now twist the adjoining strands such that the one that went under goes over and vise versa as shown in picture below.
Continue this process until you reach the end. Pick up the braid in your hand, turn it over and tuck the end on the underside. For the turtle attach head, hands and feet. Add cloves for eyes if you like. Wash everything with a milk to egg white and milk wash.
Bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes. I used leftover pizza dough to bake these breads.
Enjoy!
The turtle was made by my daughter. She said the round braid looked so much like a turtle she had to give it a head, hands and feet. It was a lot of fun making these as my daughter was a very willing participant. Guess she loves braiding as much as I do.
You will need
Dough prepared using my basic dough recipe
To make the braided bread you need rolled strands. I find it it easiest to roll the dough in a flat rectangle, cut out strips and roll each one into shape.
This gives me ropes of the same size and diameter that are evenly finished. To start place all the ropes parallel to one another. Bring one edge together and squeeze together. Now you are ready to begin.
To make the 9 strand braid
Start on the right. Place the right most strand to the left over the next two adjacent strands and under the following two strands. Do the same with the left most strand.
Repeat this process and the braid will start to appear.
Continue to the end as far as you can go. Tuck all the strands together under the dough to finish. Cut off about a half inch at the end from which you started and tuck the strands under.
For the 8 strand braid
Before you begin arrange the 8 strands the same way you would for the 9 strand bread. Pick up the rightmost strand and place it over the top of all the other strands to the left. Repeat with the leftmost strand.
Now place the right strand in the middle of the remaining strands. Place the new rightmost strand over to the left. Place the leftmost strand in the middle of the remaining strands and place the new leftmost strand to the right.
Continue to the end. Finish similar to the 9 strand braid. The finished 8 and 9 strand braids look like this.
For the 6 strand braid
This is very similar to the 8 strand braid except you have 2 fewer strands to work with.
For the 4 strand round braid and turtle
The 4 strand round braided bread is a little different from the above. To start place the 4 strands as shown in the picture below.
Now twist the adjoining strands such that the one that went under goes over and vise versa as shown in picture below.
Continue this process until you reach the end. Pick up the braid in your hand, turn it over and tuck the end on the underside. For the turtle attach head, hands and feet. Add cloves for eyes if you like. Wash everything with a milk to egg white and milk wash.
Bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes. I used leftover pizza dough to bake these breads.
Enjoy!
It's too complicated for me to understand..but what a lovely job you have done Varada..maybe I might attempt sometime..:)..thank you so much for showcasing your art, you are so talented!
ReplyDeleteVali is right..as of now it surely is complicated. .but may be one of these days I will come back and try..at least I can try..your daughter seems to be creative too.super.
ReplyDeleteWow Varada I find it difficult to handle 3 ropes and you have used so many here. Wow I love it.
ReplyDeleteThose braids are absolutely mindblowing, i have tried 6 braids too, you have done a fabulous job.
ReplyDelete9 strands braided bread seems to be easiest. The 8 strands looks complicated. All the bread look lovely but the turtle is very cute and love how your daughter made the round braided bread into a turtle.
ReplyDeleteSimply superb! I had never dreamt one could do this Magic with bread dough. Great tutorial. Will try with my girls.
ReplyDelete