{"id":"recipe_7904f926d9","slug":"koulouri-greek-sesame-bread-rings","title":"Koulouri (Greek Sesame Bread Rings)","description":"A classic Mediterranean breakfast staple, these golden-brown rings are crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and completely covered in toasted sesame seeds.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":100,"activeMinutes":40},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"300ml lukewarm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":300,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"lukewarm","notes":"for dough","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"7g dry yeast","name":"Yeast","quantity":7,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2 1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"dry","notes":"1 packet","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tbsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"for yeast activation","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"500g bread flour","name":"Bread Flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"sifted","notes":"high protein flour preferred","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"200g sesame seeds","name":"Sesame Seed","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"raw","notes":"unroasted","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"250ml water","name":"Water","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"room temperature","notes":"for dipping","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tbsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"for dipping water","group":"Coating","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm water, dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and activated.","group":"Dough Prep","title":"Combine the lukewarm water, dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Dough Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, mix the bread flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead by hand or with a stand mixer for about 10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.","group":"Dough Prep","title":"Mix the bread flour and salt","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Dough Prep"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.","group":"Proofing","title":"Shape the dough into a ball","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Proofing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Prepare the coating: In a wide bowl, dissolve the dipping sugar in room temperature water. Place the sesame seeds in a separate wide, shallow bowl.","group":"Coating Prep","title":"Prepare the coating","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating Prep"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Divide the risen dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 35cm / 14 inches long). Fold the rope in half and twist the two strands together, then join the ends to form a ring, pinching firmly to seal.","group":"Shaping","title":"Divide the risen dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Dip each ring first into the sugar-water mixture, then directly into the sesame seeds, turning to coat all sides thoroughly.","group":"Coating","title":"Dip each ring first","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Coating"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Place the rings on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden brown and crunchy on the outside.","group":"Baking","title":"Place the rings on the baking sheet","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Traditional Thessaloniki style koulouri uses a simple dough dipped in sugar-water to ensure the sesame seeds stick perfectly and create a slightly sweet, caramelized crust.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["stand mixer","baking sheet","parchment paper","mixing bowls"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","mediterranean"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","sesame"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":6,"unit":"ring","note":"Large bread rings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before shaping."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a paper bag to maintain crunch. If they soften, toast them briefly in the oven.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 180°C (356°F) for 5 minutes to restore crispiness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7904f926d9%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2a9ece62-0a9c-4080-bc7e-6ea11102339a","imageAlt":"Koulouri (Greek Sesame Bread Rings) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["greek","sesame","bread","breakfast","street food","traditional","vegan"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Koulouri (Greek Sesame Bread Rings)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T01:21:45.018Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T01:21:45.018Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2f05621352","slug":"bouyiourdi-greek-baked-feta","title":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta)","description":"A traditional Greek meze featuring salty feta cheese baked until melted with juicy tomatoes, spicy peppers, and fragrant extra virgin olive oil.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2f05621352%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fd6db74e-cfd9-46b5-aa96-6e0e76c26c9a","imageAlt":"Bouyiourdi (Greek Baked Feta) — recipe cover","tags":["feta","baked cheese","greek meze","spicy","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_66184712aa","slug":"creamy-homemade-hummus","title":"Creamy Homemade Hummus","description":"A silky, rich, and authentic Mediterranean chickpea dip blended with nutty tahini, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic garlic. Perfect for dipping or as a spread.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Middle Eastern"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein","mediterranean","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_66184712aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=648d20cf-84fe-4052-b8d8-79fced2e9554","imageAlt":"Creamy Homemade Hummus — recipe cover","tags":["hummus","chickpeas","vegan","healthy","mediterranean","dip","high protein","gluten free"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}