I love the scent of freshly baked bread with poppy seeds sprinkled over the crust. It is especially these rolls that I love. I’m hardly crazy about the pieces of cardboard that pass as bread at many bakers. Here’s my own version based on a recipe from the end of the 19th century, flavoured with my favourite bread spice, cardamom.
POPPY SEED ROLLS ANNO 1880
24 ROLLS.
POOLISH:
3 1/2 DL LUKEWARM MILK
250 G FLOUR
50 G FRESH YEAST
Heat the milk.
Stir the yeast out into the milk, it is easiest to start with a small amount of milk and then use a whisk to mix it.
Add the milk and stir thoroughly to make a gruel.
Cover with film and set aside.
When the surface begins to bubble and rise, it is ready. It takes approx. 30 min.
DOUGH:
750G FLOUR
1 TBSP. SALT
2 TSK. GROUND CARDAMOM
3 1/2 DL. WARM MILK
60 G SOFTENED BUTTER
EGG
POPPY SEEDS FOR DECORATION
Mix the flour, salt and cardamom in a large bowl.
Stir in the milk and mix it thoroughly.
Add the poolish and stir the two parts together.
Put the dough on a lighly floured table and knead the dough a little. The dough is very sticky at first, so it is easiest to use one hand for the kneading and a dough scraper in the other to scrape off the dough that sticks to the table. You can also use a standmixer with the dough hook attached to do the leg work for you.
Add the soft butter and knead well for 5-10 minutes.
The dough will be very soft and slightly sticky when finished.
Let it rise under a cloth for 1 1/2 hours.
Carefully scrape the dough onto the kitchen table and form it into 24 equal buns.
Let them rise again for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 230 degrees celsius.
Brush the buns with egg wash.
Pour the poppy seeds into a shallow bowl and dip the top of the rolls covering them with seeds.
Place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the buns are golden and sound hollow when you tap the bottom lightly.