Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Challah! Only a few weeks after I made it!

So as I've stated before, my life and home are in complete disarray right now with this whole basement finishing and big bike ride I have coming up in a few weeks. I have been getting some baking done, but this whole keeping up with the blog thing is just a little much. At least once the ride and basement are finished the new baby will be here and I'll have time to relax :O (I'm not good at this whole emoticon thing, but that's supposed to be a scream!).
So I have to say, I have never really liked Challah. I was tempted to just write "OK I made it." for my entire post and put one pic of the finished bread. And to be honest I still don't really like Challah. My wife and kids liked it, but I am just not a soft white enriched bread kind of guy. Give me a lean crunchy chewy bread any time. That's why I bake, but I joined this challenge to expand my horizons.
So I made Challah (Holla!) I couldn't help but channel my inner hip hop self which to be honest I never knew I had. I'm as suburban white middle class as they come.
Anyway, as I said, I've been busy. Crazy busy. So when I started baking I realized I didn't have my camera so my pics start right around the time of the dough coming together in the bowl.
Look at how yellow that dough is! I've been getting these amazing farm fresh eggs and the yolks are a bright orange! They taste amazing, but check out these yolks!
This pic doesn't really do them justice, but they are amazing.
I fermented it.
I divided and rested it.
I rolled the pieces into ropes.
And I made a five strand braid because a three strand just didn't seem difficult enough.
And this thing was huge!
So I baked it and my misshaped braids become apparent.
And yes it was huge and I guess it tasted OK. Like I said previously everyone loved it (except me). I won't be baking Challah again any time soon. If I want a Jewish bread give me a good rye. I can't wait for the ryes. My wife isn't looking forward to them, but she's having her day in the sun right now. I made my ciabatta just a few days ago, so I'm hoping to get that posted some time today as well. I may even get the cinnamon raisin bread baked today.

5 comments:

  1. Your challah braid is nice. The tail end got a little wonky but so what. I'm not a fan of challah either.
    Love reading your posts. Where are you riding too?
    We are headed for CA from here in NY in Aug. EEKKK.
    Great baking along with you.
    Susie

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  2. Wow, you were ambitious to try a five strand braid! I was nervous with just the three strands :-) Enriched white breads aren't my faves, but the Challah was really good toasted with jam and it made a great french toast (although sourdough french toast is my one true love)!

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  3. Loved your scream (o:). Thanks for mking me laugh today. Sometimes I also feel like just posting "OK made the bread" and leaving it at that. Those are some amazing yolks. I'm also looking forward to the crunchy, chewy lean breads!

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  4. Awesome job on the Challah!
    Those yolks are amazing! I'm so jealous. I swear store bought yolks are shrinking.

    I'm amazed at all the projects you are juggling. I'm having a hard time just baking and blogging!

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  5. Beautiful challah (holla!). And good for you for making it, even if it's not your fave.

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