Poppy seeds are tiny kidney shaped oilseeds that come from the poppy.  Although the seeds can be ground and added to a variety of dishes, the whole seeds have a moreish crunch and are commonly added to pastries and breads.
 
Cooking with Poppy Seeds
 
Poppy seeds (as with most seeds) work magic once they are warmed or toasted. They look beautiful on a light-coloured salad dressed with sour cream, and add a great textural contrast to a soft, moist cake. You can add them to crunch the skin of a roast chicken, or bake into a cake or biscuit. They also make a great thickener in curries.