Poppy Seed Challah Recipes

POPPY SEED CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together the water with the dry yeast and tsp of sugar. Whisk it up until lightly foamy and then set aside for 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl beat two eggs with the sugar, salt, and olive oil. When homogenized add in the frothy yeast mixture.
• Slowly add the flour, and when it becomes too difficult to whisk (after about halfway) move to a wooden spoon to help mix. Pour out onto a floured table top and knead for 10 minutes or until the dough is quite elastic. If it is too sticky add a bit more flour.
• Make into a ball, rub with some olive oil, and place in a bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm place for 2 hours. (I recommend using your oven with just the light on).
• Take out the dough and punch down the middle. Knead the dough again and then divide into two parts. Cut the parts into three strips each (or more if you want to do a more complex braid) and braid the dough.
• Place the dough on a parchment or silicone lined baking tray and let rise for one more hour.
• Beat the last egg and brush it over all of the dough. Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds.
• Place into an oven preheated to 180 Celsius for 25 minutes. Give the bread a knock when time is up and if it sounds hollow you did a good job.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the diced chicken breasts on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl combine the soup, sour cream and sherry. Pour or spoon mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
• Mix the poppy seeds and crushed crackers and sprinkle mixture over the chicken, salt and pepper. Drizzle the melted butter or margarine over the cracker/poppyseed layer and bake covered in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes (take cover off for the last 5 minutes). Let stand a few minutes before servings.

ONION POPPY-SEED ROLLS

Steps:

• Follow recipe for challah through Step 3. Roll out dough to a rectangle about 12 by 18 inches. Sprinkle onions, poppy seeds and salt over dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
• Brush border of dough with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Roll dough up like a jellyroll. Pinch ends closed.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 muffin tins or a baking pan with oil.
• Using a dough cutter, cut dough into at least 12 rounds, and place into tins or pan, cut side on top. Mix egg with a little water, and brush over rolls. Let rise for another 1/2 hour.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and serve warm.

CHALLAH

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, a pinch of the sugar and a couple tablespoons of lukewarm water in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve the yeast, then leave for 10 mins until foamy.
• Meanwhile, combine the flour, the remaining sugar and 3 tsp fine salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add half the beaten egg, the yeast mixture and the oil. Pour in 200ml lukewarm water (it should feel slightly warm to the touch) and stir with a spoon, then mix using one hand, keeping the other clean while you bring the dough together. If there are a lot of very dry bits, gradually add a little water to just bring it together - you don't want it to get too wet and sticky. The dough should be moist, but not soggy.
• Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead using both hands for 10 mins until smooth and a bit springy. If it gets very sticky, add a very small amount of flour - as little as possible. A dough scraper is useful if the dough is sticking to the work surface. Stretch the sides of the dough down and pull together to form a ball. Lightly oil a bowl, then lightly roll the dough ball around the bowl so it's coated in the oil. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hr, or until dough has doubled in size.
• Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into three equal pieces, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Roll each piece into a long sausage shape about 25cm long, tapering them slightly at both ends. Lay the pieces out in front of you, parallel to one another with a couple centimetres between each. Bring the sausages together at the top end, then plait them down the length, tucking in the ends when you reach the bottom. Carefully transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet and loosely cover with a clean tea towel. Leave to rise until puffy and billowy, about 40 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Gently brush the rest of the beaten egg all over the challah, getting it into all the crevices, and sprinkle with the poppy or sesame seeds, if using. Bake on a middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, until the loaf is golden brown underneath and sounds hollow when tapped. Check after about 15 mins - if the top of the loaf has started to get too dark, cover it with foil. Leave to cool on a wire rack, then serve.