Potato Challah - One Large Loaf

This dough needs about 8 hours to rise. It has more of a sourdough taste than sweet.

Dissolve 1 yeast cake or 1 package dry yeast in ½ cup lukewarm water.  Place 4 cups all-purpose flour in a large bowl and pour the yeast into a well in the middle.  Mix about 3 T of flour into the yeast mixture and cover the bowl.  Let stand about 30 minutes in a warm place.  Add 1 ½ cups mashed, warm potatoes, 2 ½ tsp. salt and more water if needed.  Knead the dough in the bowl until it separates from the bowl and feels hard.  Place it in a greased bowl and cover.  Put in a warm place and let stand until double -- about 8 hours.  Place the dough on a floured board and divide in two.  Form a long loaf of one part and divide the other into 3 pieces.  Roll the pieces into ropes and braid them.  Place on top of the loaf, pinching edges down to attach.  Cover and let rise about 1 hour.  Brush top with water and sprinkle with poppy seeds.  Bake in preheated 350º oven for 45- 60 minutes, until brown and sounds hollow when bottom is tapped.

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