Thursday, October 2, 2008

challah

i've never really felt a strong urge to make bread(s). but something about this fall- which is the most picture-perfect fall so far- is stirring up a change. ALL i want is to make bread! last night i experimented with a challah recipe. it turned out great, but i still want to try some other recipes. i think i might like a little bit more sweetness...

and unfortunately, i could not get a decent picture... but trust me, it was pretty.

p.s. this recipe was cut in half from one that made two loaves, hence the odd quantities. just do your best to estimate, and it'll be fine.

challah

3/4 tablespoon of yeast
1/2 tablespoon + 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs, plus one for egg wash
1/2 tablespoon salt
5 cup flour

**the recipe actually called for about 4 c flour, but the dough was very wet, and i probably ended up adding closer to 5 cups, possibly more than that.

1. in a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 tablespoon sugar in a little more than 1 cup of lukewarm water.
2. whisk oil into yeast, then beat in the eggs, one at a time, with remaining sugar and salt. gradually add flour. when dough holds together, it is ready for kneading.
3. turn dough onto floured surface and knead until smooth. put dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place, about an hour, until doubled in size. punch down dough, cover and let rise again for another half an hour.
4. shape dough as desired (braid, form circle, plain loaf). beat remaining egg, and brush it on the loaf. let it rise for half an hour. brush again with egg. bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until golden.

3 comments:

Charlie said...

I think you need to start a new feature in which I attempt to make your recipes. I can include disaster photos!
Actually-- I think I have a new recipe for you to try out: Chocolate-Praline Cake in a Jar. You can even MAIL THEM!

Charlie said...

forgot the link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/enewsletter/recipe/chocovanilla/

liza said...

that would be amazing. shadow blog me, charlie, shadow blog me!