Turkish Bread Rings (Simit)

Ingredients

• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 1/2 to 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon water
• 3/4 cup sesame seed

Instructions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl.
2. Stir in milk, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth.
3. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn dough onto generously floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
4. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up.
5. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
6. Punch dough down; divide into 8 equal parts. Roll and shape each part into a 24-inch long rope; moisten ends with water. Bring ends of rope together, and pinch to form a rings about 6 inches in diameter.
7. Beat egg and 2 teaspoons water with fork.
8. Spread sesame seed on dinner plate.
9. Brush each ring with egg mixture; dip into sesame seed.
10. Place rings, sesame seed side up, on large greased cookie sheets.
11. Cover loosely; let rise until double, about 30 minutes.
12. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
13. Bake until rings are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.