How to make
Sift the flour 3 times in a bowl (it's a traditional process for holiday loaves), make a well and in it put the salt, sugar, oil, baking soda extinguished in the lemon juice and heated carbonated water.
Stir and knead a soft dough, cover it with a towel for about 30 min. Set aside a small part of the dough for the motifs, distribute the rest of the dough along the bottom of a small oiled tray.
It's characteristic of Bogovitsa bread to be richly decorated. First, start with the cross - using 2 forks, make an X in the center of the bread, going all the way out to the circumference. In 2 of the resulting quadrants, shape 2 little birds.
One is a symbol of hearth and home, the other of health and prosperity. Shape a grape bunch for abundance and a sun for warmth. Poke the bread in several places around the motifs to prevent it from cracking during baking.
Put the tray in a preheated 370°F (190 °C) oven and bake about 35 min. or until golden brown. Cover the bread with a wet, well-squeezed, clean towel for about 10 min. to soften.
