Challah

Подготовка

1. 🥄step 1
2. 🔥Combine the yeast, a pinch of the sugar and a couple tablespoons of lukewarm water in a small bowl.

Шаги

1. 🔥Stir to dissolve the yeast, then leave for 10 mins until foamy.
2. 🧂step 2

Подготовка

1. 🧂Meanwhile, combine the flour, the remaining sugar and 2 tsp fine salt in a large bowl.
2. 🍳Make a well in the centre, then add half the beaten egg, the yeast mixture and the oil.

Шаги

1. 🍳Pour in 200ml lukewarm water (it should feel slightly warm to the touch) and stir with a spoon,

Подготовка

1. 🫇then mix using one hand, keeping the other clean while you bring the dough together.

Шаги

1. 🍽️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.
2. 🌿The dough should be moist, but not soggy.
3. ✨step 3
4. 🥄Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
5. 🔥Knead using both hands for 10 mins until smooth and a bit springy.
6. 🧂If it gets very sticky, add a very small amount of flour – as little as possible.
7. 🍳A dough scraper is useful if the dough is sticking to the work surface.
8. 🫇Stretch the sides of the dough down and pull together to form a ball.
9. 🍽️Lightly oil a bowl, then lightly roll the dough ball around the bowl so it's coated in the oil.
10. 🌿Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hr, or until dough has doubled in size.
11. ✨step 4
12. 🥄Line a baking sheet with baking parchment.
13. 🔥Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into three equal pieces, weighing for accuracy, if you like.
14. 🧂Roll each piece into a long sausage shape about 25cm long, tapering them slightly at both ends.
15. 🍳Lay the pieces out in front of you, parallel to one another with a couple centimetres between each.
16. 🫇Bring the sausages together at the top end, then plait them down the length, tucking in the ends when you reach the bottom.

Подготовка

1. 🌿Carefully transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet and loosely cover with a clean tea towel.

Шаги

1. ✨Leave to rise until puffy and billowy, about 40 mins.
2. 🥄step 5
3. 🔥Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas
4. 🧂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.

Готовка

1. 🥄Bake on a middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, until the loaf is golden brown underneath and sounds hollow when tapped.

Шаги

1. 🔥Check after about 15 mins – if the top of the loaf has started to get too dark, cover it with foil.

Подача

1. 🧂Leave to cool on a wire rack, then serve.