Stop attacking our friends

Jerusalem Post ^ | November 30, 2005 | ISI LEIBLER

[dennisw]

Challah, the braided Sabbath bread of Judaism, is a European celebratory loaf symbolic of God's goodness and bounty. The braids traditionally separate the loaf into twelve distinct sections representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The use of eggs in the bread was probably a way to use up excess eggs before the strict Judaic Sabbath day of rest made it impossible to harvest the new eggs, as harvesting is one of many activities considered work in Orthodox Jewish communities.

I've made challah many different ways, but this is a great formula that produces a soft golden loaf, radiant when brought to the table. The key to a beautiful challah, one that stops conversation and holds everyone's attention, is to braid it so that it is tapered at the ends and plump in the middle.

Ingredients:

4 cups (18 ounces) unbleached bread flour
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon (.25 ounce) salt
1-1/3 teaspoons (.15 ounce) instant yeast
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) vegetable oil
2 large (3.3 ounces) eggs, slightly beaten
2 large (1.25 ounces) egg yolks, slightly beaten
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp to 1-1/8 cups (7 to 9 ounces) water, at room temperature
2 egg whites, whisked until frothy, for egg wash
Sesame or poppy seeds for garnish

Instructions:

Stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer). In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs and yolks, and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Mix with a spoon (or on low speed with the paddle attachment) until all the ingredients gather and form a ball. Add the remaining water, if needed.

Sprinkle flour on the counter, transfer the dough to the counter, and knead for about 10 minutes (or mix at medium-low speed for 6 minutes with the dough hook), sprinkling in more flour if needed to make a soft, supple, but not sticky dough. The dough should register approximately 80°F (27°C).

Lightly oil a large bowl. Form the dough into a boule and transfer into the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Ferment for 1 hour at room temperature.

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for 2 minutes to degas. Re-form it into a ball, return the ball to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and ferment for an additional hour. It should be at least 1-1/2 times its original size.

Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into 3 equal pieces for 1 large loaf, or 6 pieces for 2 loaves. (Or, for a celebration challah, divide it into 3 equal pieces and combine 2 of those pieces and form them into 1 large dough. Take this larger piece and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Take the smaller dough and divide it into 3 pieces as well; in the end, you will have 3 large pieces and 3 small pieces.) Regardless of the size of the loaves you decide to make, form each of the pieces into a boule, cover them with a towel, and let them rest on the counter for 10 minutes.

Roll out the pieces into strands, each the same length, thicker in the middle and slightly tapered toward the ends. Braid them using the 3-braid method shown. (If making the celebration challah, lay the smaller braid on top of the larger braid, gently pressing the smaller braid onto the larger to adhere.) Line a sheet pan with baking parchment and transfer the loaf or loaves to the pan. Brush the loaves with the egg wash. Mist the loaves with spray oil and cover loosely with plastic wrap or place the pan in a food-grade plastic bag.

Proof at room temperature for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the dough has grown to 1-1/2 times its original size.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) (325°F (160°C) for the celebration challah) with the oven rack on the middle shelf. Brush again with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the loaf. The bread should be a rich golden brown and register 190°F (88°C) in the center.

When done, transfer the bread to a rack and cool for at least 1 hour before slicing or serving.

Yield: Makes 1 large braided loaf, 2 smaller loaves, or 1 large double-braided celebration loaf

[dennisw]

I took the above challah recipe off the internet. It seemed good to me because not only does it have eggs but it has egg yolks which has to make the yellow color of challah. Perhaps Alouette can advise! Though today is shabat and she must be busy with preparations

[RightOnline]

"But the vast majority, in addition to being law-abiding citizens, are simply seeking to promote their values - including those that mirror the Judeo-Christian heritage."

Yep......and boy oh boy, we sure can't have that, now, can we??? That's reserved for Muslims, Wiccans, and every other cult-cum-religion out there EXCEPT Christianity........and the evangelical sort?? Save us all; they're nothing but Morals Nazis, right???

Sheesh. Some Jews are so stupid they don't even know who some of their best friends are.....

[Alouette]

Well, I just made challah last night for the first time in a few years!

Here is my recipe:

2 pkgs. instant dry yeast
7-8 cups unbleached flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1 1/2 c. hot (not boiling) water
1/2 c. oil
4 eggs

In mixer bowl, mix 3 c. flour, dry yeast, sugar and salt. Add hot water and mix well. Add oil and eggs and mix for about a minute.

With the bread hook on the mixer, add the remaining flour one cup at a time until a dough ball is formed and separated from the side of the mixer. Knead for about 5 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about 2 hours.

Punch down the dough and knead some more. Cut the dough into 2 or 3 pieces. Then cut each piece into 3, roll out into strips and braid together.

Spray bread pans with nonstick spray and sprinkle with corn meal. Place each braided loaf into a bread pan, cover, and let rise until dough fills the pan.

Heat the oven to 400. Mix 1 egg and brush the top of each loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, if desired. Bake until well browned on top.

This will make 2 large or 3 medium loaves.

[dennisw]

I'm pinging sageb1 to your recipe. So interesting that you resumed making challah so recently. Challah's yellow color is emotionally reassuring to me of Jewish strength and continuity

[Alouette]

I've seen some recipes that recommend adding a strand or two of saffron to the water before mixing the dough. That would give it a real nice golden color if you are into the exotic and expensive ingredients.

[sageb1]

Thanks so much both of you for taking the time to post your recipes. Thanks also, dennis, for pointing out the value of egg yolks, as well whites. I'll keep that in mind.

[dennisw]

You're welcome. I've never made challah but one would think the 2 egg yolks will help make a yellow color. Add to richness too. Challah tastes richer and "fattier" than regular breads. Challah is a shabbat bread and the shabbat meal is traditionally the most sumptuous meal of the week

Though it's eaten other times too