Baking a traditional Jewish bread, known as Challah.

Baking a traditional Jewish bread, known as Challah.

Rewritten Version:

Dive into the world of challah, a multi-purpose bread that's no longer confined to Jewish rituals! This rich, eggy bread (be it less buttery than Mardi Gras King Cake or Greek Easter Bread) is finding its way into households everywhere, and it's perfect for crafting scrumptious French toast. Here's how to make your own, plus some creative ways to use your homemade loaf.

Yield: Approx. 2 loavesDifficulty: MediumPreparation Time: 1 hr 45 mins, plus 2 hrs rising time and 35 mins baking time

Ingredients (13)

For the dough:

• Warm water (105°F to 115°F): 1 cup
• Active dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons): 2 packets
• Egg: 1 large, beaten
• Egg yolks: 2 large, beaten
• Vegetable oil: 1/4 cup, plus more for coating the bowl
• Sugar: 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated
• Bread flour: 4 to 4 1/2 cups, plus more for dusting the work surface
• Salt: 2 teaspoons fine salt
• Cornmeal: 4 teaspoons fine-ground, for dusting the pan

For the topping:

• Beaten egg: 1 large
• Water: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: A pinch
• Poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional): 1 to 2 teaspoons

Instructions

Preparing the dough:

1. Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl until it becomes foamy (about 5 minutes).
2. Add the egg, egg yolks, oil, sugar, 4 cups flour, and salt, stirring until it forms a shaggy dough.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface, and knead it until it's smooth and elastic (about 10 to 15 minutes). Then, coat a large bowl with oil, place the dough inside, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise until tripled in size for about 40 to 60 minutes. Punch down the dough, cover, and let it rest for another 15 minutes.
4. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Cover one portion and set it aside. Divide the other portion into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long, tapered rope and line them vertically.

Braiding the dough:

1. Pinch the top ends of the six strands together and follow the instructions below to braid the dough:
2. Bring strand six from the right over strand one on the left and up to the left.
3. Bring strand one from the left up to the top right.
4. This creates a four-legged creature with two arms crossed over each other. Keeping the legs spread apart in pairs, the left arm comes down into the center between the legs.
5. Bring the right leg over and up to form a new top left arm.
6. The top right arm comes down between the legs.
7. Continue the pattern, alternating between the left and right legs.
8. Braid until you reach the end, then pinch the ends to seal.

Preparing for baking:

1. Coat a baking sheet with cornmeal. Place the challah loaves on the sheet, cover them, and let them rise for 45 minutes, or until they've almost doubled in size.

Creating the topping:

1. Mix the beaten egg, water, and salt, brush the loaves with the mixture, and let them dry for about 15 minutes. Re-brush the loaves and sprinkle them with poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional).
2. Bake the loaves at 350°F for 35 minutes or until they're a rich mahogany color. If they start browning too quickly, cover them with foil or parchment paper.

Enjoy your homemade challah – it keeps well for several days and can also be frozen and defrosted!

Cultural and Culinary Notes

• Challah is a versatile bread used for various purposes, including French toast, sandwiches, snacks, and even desserts (bread pudding).
• The bread can be seasoned with herbs, spices, or stuffed with goat cheese or pesto for an added twist.
• Traditional variations include Greek Orthodox Challah and Sephardic Challah, which feature different spices and adaptations for Christian celebrations and Sephardic cuisine, respectively.

1. This homemade challah recipe, with its nutritious ingredients and delicious flavor, is a cool addition to any household, providing possibilities beyond Jewish rituals such as French toast making.
2. This 89ce995e1e2e4084ce7e88e73c58ccdf challah recipe offers an opportunity to explore creative nutrition by adding herbs, spices, or even filling it with goat cheese or pesto.
3. On the occasion of Sabbath or any other special day, a homemade loaf of golden-brown challah, beautifully braided and sprinkled with sesame seeds, would not only add elegance but also serve as a testament to a well-earned creditline in the culinary endeavors.

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