Serves: 5
Total Calories: 242
Yield: 1 Medium Loaf

1 tablespoon (1 packet) active dry yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
pinch saffron (optional), powdered and dissolved in 1 teaspoon warm water*
2-3 cups white unbleached flour
2 tablespoons poppy seeds to sprinkle on loaf (optional)

*The addition of saffron heightens the yellow color of the bread.

1. Place the yeast, water, sugar, salt, oil, egg, saffron (if using), and 2 cups of flour in a large bowl and beat well with a wooden spoon. Add more flour a little at a time until you can handle the dough.

2. Sprinkle the dough with a little flour and begin to knead directly in the bowl (or on a floured board), adding more flour as necessary. Knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball.

3. Butter the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add the ball of dough, then turn it over, buttered side up. Cover and set in a warm spot for an hour, or until the dough doubles in bulk. Grease a large baking sheet and set aside.

4. Punch down the risen dough and cut into four equal pieces. Using your hands, roll three pieces into ropes about a foot long. Place them on the baking sheet and pinch together at one end. Then, working very carefully so as not to stretch the dough, loosely braid the strands. When you finish braiding, pinch the ends together, then neatly tuck both ends under the loaf.

5. Divide the remaining piece of dough into three pieces and form into a slender braid, about two-thirds the length of the large braid. Lay the small braid on top (along the center) of the big braid, and lightly brush the whole loaf with oil. Cover and let rise for an hour, or until doubled in bulk.

6. In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolk and cold water, then brush some on the top and sides of the loaf. Sprinkle with poppy seeds (if using), place in a preheated 375°F oven, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the loaf is a rich brown color and hollow-sounding when rapped on the bottom with your knuckle. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 242
Calories from Fat: 53

More Recipes from the Great Natural Breads Made Easy Cookbook:
Basic White Bread
English Cottage Bread
French Bread
French Bread-C'est Magnifique!
Green Bread
Tomato-Basil Bread
Cuban Bread
Roadside Potato Bread
Caraway Potato Bread
Semolina Bread
Challah
Rosemary-Olive Oil Bread