Bread Making inspired by Grandma Molly

Plaited bread with sesame seeds


Ingredients:

• 500gr Flour
• 310 ml water
• 1 1/2 packets of dried yeast
• 1 Tbsp. Sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp. Salt

     Topping

• Egg Yolk
• 1Tbsp. water
• Sesame seeds

Method:

1. Place the Flour in a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
2. Pour in the water and empty the Yeast packets, Sugar and Salt and mix the ingredients in the well.
3. Mix the flour in until a dough is formed.
4. Dust your surface with some Flour and knead the dough for around 5 - 10 minutes.
5. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover in cling film and a piece of cloth.
6. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place, with no draft for around 15-30 minutes- this will help the dough to rise quicker.  
7. Once the dough has double in size, knead it again for around 5 minutes.
8. Then cut the dough in 3 parts and start rolling the pastry with your hands to have 3 thick strands to make the plait.
9. Once the three strands are ready attach one end of the plait and start braiding it and connect the three strands at the end.
10. Place the braid in an oiled and floured dish and cover with a dish cloth and let to rise in a warm place for around for 15-20 minutes.
11. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees celsius.
12. Prepare the egg wash by separating the Egg yolk and mix with a tablespoon of Water.
13. Brush the top of the bread with the Egg wash and sprinkle the Sesame seeds on top.
14. Bake the plait for 15-20 min at 220 degrees celsius then lower the temperature to 190 degree celsius and cook for a further 15-30 minutes.