Paska

Easter Monday is almost gone.  How did this wonderful weekend disappear so quickly? The Resurrection of Jesus is the climax of the whole love story given by God to us in His Word.  Beginning in Genesis and foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament, is the coming of the Messiah, the Rescuer, the Hope of all Nations. 

We had such a great Easter message* at church titled: "I Doubt It!"
It was about the disciple Thomas based on John 20.  When Thomas finally "got it" - he just worshiped Jesus proclaiming, "My Lord and my God!

Jesus encouraged His disciples to believe and not to doubt.  Our Pastor, in one of his points emphasized that our doubts are usually triggered because of our deep disappointments - and that is why Thomas had such difficulty believing, he had been so profoundly disappointed by Jesus death.

This is such an important reminder to me - stop doubting and believe!
*view message at:  http://northview.org/
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An Easter tradition we always observed, one mostly to do with our physical appetites was the baking, icing and eating of Paska.  My Mom taught me to make this when I was just a young girl.  One Easter she couldn't knead the dough and so I eagerly volunteered to do it and the Paska turned out great under her watchful tutelage.  Here now is Mother's recipe for that tasty fare which she always baked every Easter season in loaf pans or used coffee tins giving a nice round dome effect.  I made them into buns this time.

Paska 
Ingredients:

13 oz hot  milk ( I used about 5 oz 1% milk then filled the rest with table cream)
4 large eggs-beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter-melted
2 teaspoons salt
zest of 1/2 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
5 + cups flour
3 teaspoons yeast

Method:
Beat eggs 'til frothy
Add sugar gradually beating with wire whisk
Add melted butter
Add salt and lemon flavourings

Pour into breadmaker pan and add 3 cups of the flour along with the yeast.
Because this is a larger recipe, with the added liquids of eggs and juice, I help the mixer stage along with a sturdy rubber spatula.  Keep adding the flour 'til you get the right consistency - dough will be sticky
Let dough cycle finish.

Use oil for counter surface to divide dough into two parts.  Shape each half into a loaf and place into greased/parchment lined pans and let rise in warm oven until double in size.

Bake 300o-325o until golden brown - about 25 minutes.
Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.
Make up the icing by adding lemon zest and juice to 2-3 cups icing sugar.  Add enough hot water to make a smooth icing.  Ice bread as you need it - add decorative sprinkles for a festive touch.

This is my mother's recipe adapted to suit my breadmaker. Unheard of - Paska from a breadmaker?  It really can be done.  I didn't get a picture of the loaves but they were as delicious as the buns which I had made earlier in the week and given to family and neighbours.