Medium
1
loafBy Tom Jaine
Published 2005
People in Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria have a tremendous tradition of fancy baking, for feast days, holidays, or just for Sundays. This plaited bread, ideal for butter and jam for tea or breakfast, but good as well for luxury sandwiches (it contains no sugar), is what the Swiss family likes to eat on a Sunday: home-baked because it is the baker’s day off.
There is a symbol behind the plait: it represents the braid of the warrior’s widow, cut off before joining him in the afterlife.
Top: To make the plait, press the four long pieces together at one end, giving them a little twist and tuck for neatness.
Counting from your left, fold 1 over 2, 3 over 1, 4 under 1, and 4 over 3. Repeat until you reach the end.
© 2005 Tom Jaine. All rights reserved.