When I started searching for Ukrainian foods, it was in March, one of the first discoveries was Poppy Seeds Roll. It was a thick log of bread that was rolled with black Poppy Seed Paste. I was curious and I wanted to taste it, but I didn’t know where I could find the Poppy Seed Paste. Then, when I was walking along the street in Croydon, which is not far from my home, I came across a shop called ‘European Grocery Store’. I popped in the shop and had a look around. Guess what I found there. A can of Poppy Seed Filling called ‘Masa Makowa’. Today I made this yummy treat using the ‘Masa Makowa’ and Ukrainian ‘Pampushky’ dough.


Makes

6 to 8 Servings

Ingredients

Dough
2 cups Bread Flour *plus extra
2 teaspoons (7g) Dry Yeast
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Caster Sugar
2 Eggs *whisked, save 1 tablespoon for glazing
100ml Warm Milk
30g (2 tablespoons) melted Butter OR Sunflower Oil

Filling
Sweet Poppy Seed Paste *I used 1 can (400g) Poppy Seed Filling ‘Masa Makowa’

Method
  1. Combine Bread Flour, Yeast, Salt and Sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in Eggs, warmed Milk and Melted Butter (OR Oil). Mix well and knead, adding extra Flour as required, for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  3. Divide the dough into 2 portions, On a floured surface, roll out each portion of the dough into a large 4-5mm thin oblong, that will be about 25cm x 40cm. Spread 1/2 of Poppy Seed Paste, and roll up into a log.

  4. Cut each log in half lengthways, and you will have 4 strips. Twist each strip, place the twisted strips on a baking tray lined with baking paper, and form a shape that you like. I made a round shape. Set aside in a warm place and preheat the oven to 180℃.

  5. Brush the saved Egg over the dough, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes OR until nicely browned and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and cool.