Preparation time: 30 minutes. Baking time: 25 to 30 minutes. Rising time: 2 hours. Oven temperature: 375 degrees.

This soft-textured, round loaf of bread has an unusually spicy and crunchy topping that is baked right on. Serve it with Middle Eastern food or a curry menu. It goes especially well with baked or barbecued pork or chicken.

For 2 round loaves, you will need: 1 1/2 c. warm water (105 to 115 degrees) 1 c. non-fat dry milk powder 2 tbsp. honey 2 tbsp. melted butter 1 tsp. salt 2 eggs 5 to 5 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

TOPPING:

2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. anise seed
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 egg

Into a large mixing bowl, combine yeast, water, dry milk, honey, butter, salt, and eggs. Whisk until blended. Beat in 5 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, beating until glossy after half the flour is added. Cover and allow dough to rest in a warm place (85 degrees) for 30 minutes. Turn dough out onto lightly floured board. Knead, adding flour as needed (you may not use it all) to make a smooth, satiny dough (about 10 minutes). Put dough into lightly oiled bowl. Turn over once to oil top. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour at 85 degrees. Divide into 2 portions. Shape each half into a round loaf. Place on greased baking sheet. Mix topping ingredients with fork. Spread mixture evenly over both loaves. Let rise again until doubled. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until golden.

Delicious.