CHALLAH PLETENICA

Potrebno je:
1 kesica suvog kvasca
1 kašičica meda
240 ml mlakog mleka
50 gr maslaca
450 gr brašna
1 kašičica soli
2 jaja
mak ili kim za posipanje

Pomešati suvi kvasac, med, mleko i otopljeni maslac i ostaviti nekih 15ak minuta da se kvasac rastvori.

U dubokoj činiji prosejati brašno sa solju, napraviti udubljenje u sredini i uliti rastopljeni kvasac i jedno blago umućeno jaje.

Testo će biti lepljivo, pa je definitivno potrebno dodati još malo brašna, kako bi se umesilo mekano testo.

Mesiti testo nekih 15ak minuta, pa staviti u čistu činiju, pokriti i ostaviti oko sat i po da naraste.

Pleh za pečenje blago nauljiti i prekriti papirom za pečenje, a testo podeliti na tri dela i napraviti pletenicu, pa testo pokriti i ostaviti da narasta još nekih 30ak minuta.

Premazati pletenicu umućenim jajetom i peći u zagrejanoj rerni, na 190°C, nekih 35-40 minuta.

Recept je isproban u okviru internacionalne igre za food blogere, Fresh from the oven.

Another round of Fresh from the oven is here, and this time, we got to make the Braided challah bread.

The dough is very soft and pliable and the bread itself is very, very delicious. 
Speaking of the dough, I believe this is one of the best bread doughs I have ever worked with. 
I am very glad I made it and I certainly recommend you to try it out very soon. :)

On to the recipe…

BRAIDED CHALLAH BREAD
You will need:
1 sachet easy blend dried yeast
1 teaspoon of clear honey
240 ml lukewarm milk
50 grams of melted butter
450 grams of plain flour
1 teaspoon of salt
2 eggs lightly beaten - in separate bowls - one for the mix and one for glazing
poppy seed or sesame seeds (optional)
Combine the yeast, honey, milk, and butter, stir and leave for 15mins to dissolve
In a large bowl, mix the flour with salt. Make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and one of the beaten eggs. Stir to make a dough (adding flour if you need during the kneading).
Knead until smooth and elastic, then transfer to a clean bowl, cover and leave to prove for about 90 min.
Grease a baking sheet. Knock back the dough and divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll to shape each piece into a long strip for plaiting.
Lay 2 of the strips over the third to make a star shape and plait from the centre, tucking the ends under. Do this on the baking sheet, and then cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for 30 min.
Brush with egg and bake in a hot oven at 190°C for 35 - 40 min or until golden and sounds hollow if you tap it.