Greek Lagana bread is a traditional flatbread that is baked on Clean Monday, the first day of Greek Orthodox Lent. It is typically served with taramosalata, a fish roe dip, and other Lenten dishes.
The Greek lagana is made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil, and is often topped with sesame seeds.
The dough is rolled out into a thin rectangular shape, then pricked with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking. I use my fingers as I like the markings the leave on the Greek lagana bread.
The sesame seeds are then sprinkled on top, and the bread is baked in a hot oven until golden brown.
Lagana bread is symbolic of the beginning of Lent, and is a reminder of the simplicity and austerity that is expected during the Lenten season. It is also a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed with a variety of dips and spreads throughout the year.
Easter Lent
Greek Easter Lent, also known as Megali Sarakosti, is an important fasting season within many denominations of Eastern Christianity.
It is intended to prepare Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Pascha (Easter). During Lent, many traditional foods are not allowed. Souvlaki during this period is a no-no!
One popular Lenten dish is Briam, a vegetarian main dish made of roasted potatoes, zucchini, and red onions coated in pureed fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh parsley. Or if you are looking for something that’s on the sweet side, tahinopita is also a good option.
Ash Monday
Clean Monday, also known as Ash Monday, is the first day of Great Lent in Eastern Christianity. It falls on the 6th Monday before Palm Sunday, which begins the Holy Week preceding Pascha Sunday (Easter).
In Greece and Cyprus , Clean Monday is known as “Kathara Deftera” and is celebrated on the first day of the seventh week before the Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday. It marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Great Lent, or “Sarakosti”, for the Greek Orthodox Church.
For Eastern Catholics, Clean Monday falls two days before Western Christians celebrate Ash Wednesday. Traditions of Clean Monday include fasting, abstinence from meat and dairy, and the consumption of special foods such as seafood, greens, and vegan dishes.
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Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 The tip for this lagana recipe is to keep the dough quite wet. Make sure not to add extra flour. If you do, the lagana bread will be hard to eat.
Ingredients
Instructions
If using a stand mixer, add the flour, yeast, olive oil, and sugar to the mixing bowl. If you knead the dough by hand, add the ingredients to a big bowl.
In some lukewarm water, add salt. Stir to dissolve.
Knead the dough, adding the water little by little. You want the dough to knead for a good 15 minutes. At first, you will see the dough be quite wet but don't add more flour! Knead it for 15 to 20 minutes on medium speed. This dough is quite wet, but don't worry!
Oil a big bowl and transfer the dough. Let it rise for one to two hours, depending on your room temperature.
When the dough has tripled in size, it's ready to shape.
Preheat the oven to 190C and line your baking trays with parchment paper.
Wet your hands well with some olive oil. Half the dough and shape it on parchment paper on the baking tray. Do the same with the other half of the dough. Make sure your hands are always wet with olive oil. Let it rise for 30 more minutes.
After 30 minutes, wet your fingers with olive oil and gently press your fingers all over the top, creating small indents. Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds.
Bake each lagana bread for 30 minutes until golden. Notes
