Kraków poppy seed and sesame bread rings (Obwarzanek krakowski)

1. Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water. Put the flour and salt in a bowl, pour in the yeast water and knead for 10 minutes into a firm, smooth, elastic dough (it should be stiffer than bread dough). Cover and leave to rise for 1 hour.

2. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each into a thin rope about 60 cm long, fold it in half and twist the two strands together like a rope; form into a ring and press the ends together.

3. Cover and rest for 15 minutes; meanwhile preheat the oven to 230 °C and bring a large pan of water to the boil, stirring in the honey.

4. Put the rings into the boiling honey water 2-3 at a time and boil for about 1 minute (until they float), then lift out with a slotted spoon.

5. While still wet, dip half of them in poppy seeds and the other half in sesame seeds (or sprinkle over), put them on a tray lined with baking paper and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

6. Best fresh and still warm, on their own or with butter and cheese.

Tip: Obwarzanek has been documented in Kraków since 1394 and has EU protected geographical indication: boiling gives it a shiny, crisp crust and a chewy inside – a relative of the bagel, sold from little blue carts on every corner of Kraków.