The Culinary Connoisseur
Wholesome is the Key
12
Apr
Apr
With the advent of social media, age-old traditions, once
closely held by small communites have been introduced to Yidden of all types. Shlissel
challah is no exception. Just as there are now Ashkenazim celebrating the end
of Pesach with Mimouna, many Sephardim and even unaffiliated Jews have begun
baking key-shaped challah the Shabbos after Pesach.
closely held by small communites have been introduced to Yidden of all types. Shlissel
challah is no exception. Just as there are now Ashkenazim celebrating the end
of Pesach with Mimouna, many Sephardim and even unaffiliated Jews have begun
baking key-shaped challah the Shabbos after Pesach.
There is no rule as to how the challah should look. And
tradition does not even tell us if the challah should be shaped like a key or
just have a key tucked into it. Should it be a real key or maybe a piece of
challah dough cut with a key-shaped cookie cutter? (Yes, this is a plug for
those, since we sell the cookie cutter!) The key to this tradition—pardon the
pun—is actually just baking a challah! How you chose to decorate it is up to
you.
tradition does not even tell us if the challah should be shaped like a key or
just have a key tucked into it. Should it be a real key or maybe a piece of
challah dough cut with a key-shaped cookie cutter? (Yes, this is a plug for
those, since we sell the cookie cutter!) The key to this tradition—pardon the
pun—is actually just baking a challah! How you chose to decorate it is up to
you.
In the past we’ve written about shlissel challah and
always included a traditional white flour recipe. Lately, folks have been
leaning toward a healthier version. Our whole wheat challah does not have any
sweetening agent in it at all. You will find it is not missing the sugar or
honey or even sugar substitute at all. It’s got a bread-like taste and using
instant, not active dry, yeast ensures a beautiful rise. The only difference is
using hot, not warm water. Instant yeast
requires hotter temperatures to revive the freeze-drying process. Tap water is fine, no need to boil. Plus, you
will be amazed at how quickly the dough rises.
always included a traditional white flour recipe. Lately, folks have been
leaning toward a healthier version. Our whole wheat challah does not have any
sweetening agent in it at all. You will find it is not missing the sugar or
honey or even sugar substitute at all. It’s got a bread-like taste and using
instant, not active dry, yeast ensures a beautiful rise. The only difference is
using hot, not warm water. Instant yeast
requires hotter temperatures to revive the freeze-drying process. Tap water is fine, no need to boil. Plus, you
will be amazed at how quickly the dough rises.
The best part; it’s a simple recipe with easy
instructions. The kind of recipe even a first-time baker will not find
intimidating. Go ahead and try!
instructions. The kind of recipe even a first-time baker will not find
intimidating. Go ahead and try!
5 lbs white
whole wheat flour (I like brain grain)
3 1/3 tablespoons instant yeast (I’m a Fleischman’s yeast snob)
6 cups HOT tap water
4 eggs
1 cup canola oil
3 heaping tablespoons kosher salt
2 egg yolks, beaten
Poppy seeds or sesame seeds for sprinkling
Place flour into mixer bowl, if you prefer to sift, go ahead and do that. Whole
wheat flour is hard to sift. I prefer to buy mine from a busy grocery or even a
bakery to ensure freshness. Add all remaining ingredients in order. Knead at lowest speed for 10 minutes. Remove from the mixer and place in a large
bowl or on a plastic-covered work space.
Let the dough rest 10 minutes.
Take challah. Divide and braid. This recipe will make 5 challahs
approximately 10-11 inches long.
Alternatively, it will be enough for 15 “balbatische”
bilkelach. Make the challahs smaller
than the pans as this recipe will rise well.
Let them rise 30-40 minutes in a warm area.
Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings. I usually use both poppy
and sesame seeds.
Put into a cold oven set to 350. Bake 40 minutes to an hour depending on the
size of the challahs or until lightly browned. Challah with no sugar will never
get very dark.
Remove and cool.
Take challah. Divide and braid. This recipe will make 5 challahs
approximately 10-11 inches long.
Alternatively, it will be enough for 15 “balbatische”
bilkelach. Make the challahs smaller
than the pans as this recipe will rise well.
Let them rise 30-40 minutes in a warm area.
Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings. I usually use both poppy
and sesame seeds.
Put into a cold oven set to 350. Bake 40 minutes to an hour depending on the
size of the challahs or until lightly browned. Challah with no sugar will never
get very dark.
Remove and cool.
If you would like to make one large key-shaped challah, use
a disposable tube pan with the hole in the center. Make 2 cuts on one side of
the pan about 2” apart. Cut from the top edge down to the bottom of the pan and
flatten the cut strip of foil outward. Make
the same type of cuts at one short end of a medium disposable rectangular loaf
pan and flatten the cut edge outward as well. Fit the two pans together by
tucking each open flap into the other pan. Using about half the recipe above,
divide the dough in half, with one half larger than the other; about a 60/40
ratio. Make a simple 3 strand braid from each part. Place the larger braid in
the tube pan and the smaller braid in the loaf pan. Allow the challah to rise until the braids
meet. Brush with egg wash and bake as directed above.
a disposable tube pan with the hole in the center. Make 2 cuts on one side of
the pan about 2” apart. Cut from the top edge down to the bottom of the pan and
flatten the cut strip of foil outward. Make
the same type of cuts at one short end of a medium disposable rectangular loaf
pan and flatten the cut edge outward as well. Fit the two pans together by
tucking each open flap into the other pan. Using about half the recipe above,
divide the dough in half, with one half larger than the other; about a 60/40
ratio. Make a simple 3 strand braid from each part. Place the larger braid in
the tube pan and the smaller braid in the loaf pan. Allow the challah to rise until the braids
meet. Brush with egg wash and bake as directed above.