Mix the first 7 ingredients together, and stir till the salt and sugar dissolve.

Mix the remaining ingredients in a plastic bin, and pour in the egg mixture.

Mix by hand

Till well incorporated. Then let dough rest 20 minutes, covered.

Stretch dough by pulling an edge up and over the dough. Repeat about 20 times, working your way around the dough.

Allow to rest 20 minutes covered.

Repeat step 5.

Wait 20 minutes and repoeat step 5 and allow dough to rest 2.5 hours.

After the 2.5 hour rest, sprinkle flour on top of the dough and your work surface. Turn dough out onto work surface.

Scale the dough into 2# portions. De-gas each portion.

Preshape by first folding the top 1/3 down over the middle 1/3.

Fold the bottom 1/3 over the top 2/3.

Turn dough 90 degrees and pat.

Follow steps 11 and 12 again, folding into 1/3's

Allow dough to rest about 15 minutes.

Flatten dough again.

Once again, fold top 1/3 down over middle 1/3.

Fold bottom 1/3 over middle.

Shape, and allow to rise till doubled, about an hour. Baste with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and bake at 325 for about 45 minutes.