Seeded Kaiser Rolls Recipe

Pour 1-1/2 cups water into a large bowl; stir in yeast and sugar until dissolved.
Set aside until foamy, about 15 minutes.
Add 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, egg, salt and 2 cups all-purpose flour; beat until smooth.
Cover with a dry cloth.
Set aside 20 minutes.
Add bread flour or all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough pulls away from side of bowl.
Turn out on a lightly floured board.
Knead dough, adding flour as necessary, until smooth and elastic.
Clean and grease bowl.
Place dough in bowl, turning to grease all sides.
Cover with a dry cloth.
Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
Punch down dough by pushing your fist into center; pull edges of dough over center.
Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface.
Knead 5 times.
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.
Grease 2 baking sheets.
Roll each piece of dough into a 10-inch rope.
Tie each rope in a knot.
Tuck 1 end of rope into center of knot.
Turn other end under knot.
Place rolls on greased baking sheet.
Brush rolls with milk.
Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds or sesame seeds; press seeds into rolls.
Cover with a dry cloth.
Let rise until light, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
Bake until golden brown and rolls sound hollow when tapped with your fingers, about 20 minutes.