Challah.

A light textured and sweet(ish) tasting loaf that is usually baked for the Jewish Sabbath and religious holiday celebrations.

I made this Friday night dinner loaf (TV sitcom reference) with a four-strand plait. (I’ve heard that the number of plaits increases with the importance of the celebration.)

Before going into the oven, I found that my loaf was too long for the baking sheet. The only way I was going to make it fit was to bend it round on itself. I think I actually prefer it like this. Oh what a happy little accident.

A beaten egg provides a nice shiny crust which is finished with a sprinkling of poppy seeds.