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1 ts Sugar
1 c ;Water, Lukewarm
2 pk Dry yeast
3 tb Sugar
2 c Milk; (About 110 Degrees F.)
2 lg Eggs
1 tb Salt
2 tb Oil Or Melted butter; You
-Can Use Up To 4 Tbs
8 c Unbleached flour; Or More
-If Needed
1 lg Egg; Beaten With
1 tb Water; For Glaze
2 tb Dry Poppy Seeds
Disolve 1 tsp sugar in the water and sprinkle the yeast over it. Add 1 Tbl
of sugar, stir and let stand for 10 minutes. Combine the yeast with the
milk, lightly beaten eggs, salt, 2 tbl sugar, oil, and 3 cups of sifted
flour. Beat until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place until light
and bubbly, about 1 hour. Mix in enough of the remaining flour to make a
light, slightly sticky dough, then knead in the bowl until smooth and
elastic,(Remember the heavier the dough, the heavier the bread.) and leaves
the sides of the bowl easily. Or in the processor, add the yeast mixture
to the flour and then add the liquids. With the machine running, add more
flour until a ball forms. Allow to rest for several minutes. Process until
the dough is smooth and elastic. Form into a ball and place in a lightly
oiled bowl, turning once to oil the top. Cover with a linen dish towl,
soaked in hot water and then wrung out until damp only, and let rise in a
warm place until double in bulk. Punch down and allow to rise again,
slightly. Divide the dough into 3 parts. Divide 1 part into thirds,
rolling each into a rope 8 to 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Braid
together, starting at the middle and turn the ends under. Repeat with each
of the remaining parts of the dough. Place the loaves on buttered baking
sheets. Do not crowd, since the loaves will double in size. Cover with the
damp towel and let rise until almost double. Brush with the egg glaze and
sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Bake in a preheated 375 Degrees F. oven at
least 1 hour, or until golden. Test by rapping the bottom, there should be
a nice hollow sound. Cool on wire racks until cold before cutting.
Courtesy of Rich Harper
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