Challah

we got invited to a Hanukkah party - pot luck party to be specific. so the story goes that at somewhere between 12-1am when we got the email i was on my way into dreaming about cookies or something and that was when josh asked what i was going to bring so he could RSVP our dish (?). before i finish with this mildly interesting story let me ask you: have you ever been in bed, in a kind of mental state that you think is on the verge of falling asleep when someone asks you a question that requires a response other than "yuh" or "nuh"? and you find yourself answering with some garbage but not caring what the hell you just said because you're to pleased with yourself for getting some form of english out of your mouth and that it sated the questioneer long enough that they left you the hell alone so you can get down to your sleep business? yeah well, that's what happened here - but it seems that i wasn't on the verge - i was just flat out sleep talking. because somewhere around two (office working) days prior to this party i asked josh what we were going to bring and he replied with: matzoh crunch and bread. "bread" what does that mean?? so general and open for others to get really excited. all this expectation now - the great mystery of "bread"!

Matzoh crunch i can handle as we all know (yes there is a guy out there in brooklyn somewhere who knows my name to be MC - true story) and i can cook bread - but come on, it has be some kind of fun hanukkah themed thing right? why would i just bring a loaf of whole wheat sandwich bread to a party? that my friends is just a reminder of what you should be eating and not all the other delish, deep fried, cooked by other people foods what you could be shoveling into your guilt ridden face. ugh! so what the hell?!

alright so firstly - i know nothing about jewish cooking much less baking. secondly i don't know what is traditional Hanukkah foodstuff. in steps wikipedia - and out comes a fresh loaf of challah.

full disclosure here: the loaf is missing a "bump" because i braided it with 3 instead of the traditional 4 ropes. i fubbed it up due to making it at 7am on a sunday, pre-breakfast - and anything pre-breakfast is subject to fubbs. but the good news is all the jewish party people (the ones' who opinion here really counts) said i got the challah spot on and it was one of the best they ever had. maybe they where lying, but who cares.

i came up with this recipe after hours of research, but if you think i can use some help by all means let me know.

CHALLAH (minus a bump)

1 1/4c warm water (110F)

2 1/4 tsp yeast

pinch of crumbled saffron threads

1/3c honey

2 tbs oil

1egg + 3 egg yolks

1 1/2 tsp salt

4c flour

poppy seeds

*activate yeast in water, add saffron threads

*stir in oil, egg and salt

*start adding in flour in 1/2c - 1c at a time until you get a ball of soft dough, let sit 15 minutes

*turn onto floured surface, knead 8 minutes adding as little flour as possible, until you get a elastic smooth dough

*let rise 1 1/2 hours to double in size

*punch down and let sit 10 minutes

*divide into 3 parts, roll out to long ropes and braid (you should use 4 for traditional challah look)

*let rise on prepared baking pan 20 minutes or double in size

*preheat oven to 375F

*mix together 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp water, brush over braided down, sprinkle w/ poppy seeds

*cook for 35 minutes to golden and sounds hollow when tapped