Foodwanderings: The Perfect Honey Challah - A Guest Post at Indonesia Eats

In this part of the world Challah is a household name just like Oy and the term Kosher as in the expression 'is this kosher?!' (Is it legit?!) so to my delight when Pepy asked me to be a guest on Indonesia Eats and post something ethnic, the first thing that came to mind was a challah חלה. As it might be popular here, perfect aged for French toast or bread pudding this Jewish traditional staple might not be that well known in other parts of the world. I sang Pepy's praises in my post Blog Awards and Happy Year of the Rabbit and her guest Cassava Fritters post on Food Wanderings. I thank my friend Pepy for having me over at her beautiful site at Indonesia Eats.

As challah is part of Friday night 'Kabalat Shabbat', welcoming the Sabbath at sundown Friday night family gathering ritual. I believe growing up in Israel there wasn't one household, religious or secular, who didn't have a challah or two at their dinner table Friday night. Baguette just wouldn't be the same. You pray over the Shabbat candles, challah, break bread and proceed to have dinner. Family and resting time!

I like my dressed up Rosh HaShana (Jewish New Year) honey challah חלת דבש for my Friday nights. Given that more often than not Friday night dinner's main dish is non vegetarian, I kept this challah Parve, non dairy, to avoid mixing milk and meat during the meal. It comes out so authentic, gorgeous inside out, soft and moist. This is a widely popular recipe in Israel. Makes two challahs. I like it honeyed and sweetened even to dip into spicy cooked tomatoes savory dip like Matbucha or a Moroccan spicy fish called Harayme. Although the challah is ever so slightly sweet it's a wonderful contrast and compliment to savory Friday night meals.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Pepy a Happy Birthday on her forthcoming Birthday, May 10. Yay, Pepy! Happy Birthday! Hop over to Pepy's site at Indonesia Eats for the recipe. It's a keeper!

More options on how to braid a Challah video by Cook kosher.

32 comments:

AnonymousMay 9, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Beautiful challah, Shulie :)
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the KitchenMay 9, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Oh wow, that's gorgeous. Hoping over to Pepy's now to get the recipe.
ALison @ Ingredients, Inc.May 9, 2011 at 10:10 AM
OMG yum! I must try this!
Indonesia EatsMay 9, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Since you bug me with a chocolate word on Twitter, now I'm tempting to make one. Call me a chocoholic :) Thanks for sharing this with us, Shulie!
Carol StevensMay 9, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Beautiful! I loved learning more about the history of challah.
Brian Samuels PhotographyMay 9, 2011 at 11:29 AM
A wonderful guest post! I miss my mother's homemade challah. It was always fun watching her make it it. This one looks fantastic!
JeanMay 9, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Your challah is beautiful, Shulie. I like the addition of honey--it makes sense that you would serve it alongside a savory dish. Hopping over to Pepy's site now. :-)
LeahMay 9, 2011 at 1:04 PM
Challah looks absolutely delicious. Two challahs will barely last in my house :).
AnonymousMay 9, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Your Challah looks delicious Shulie! Going to check out the recipe on Indonesia Eats.
@yumivoreMay 9, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL Challah! I can't wait to try this for Shabbat. And it would be perfect with Harayme!
foodwanderingsMay 9, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Thank you all for your kind comments. This challah is easy to make. Very forgiving dough. You can reduce sugar in the raw to 1/4 cup if you wish, also the oil. Making my third batch within a week or so tomorrow. Maybe, just maybe will make one out of two with chocolate.
JoytiMay 9, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Hmmm, that looks so delicious...and adding honey to this beautiful challah bread is somehow quite beautiful...
SMITH BITESMay 9, 2011 at 5:23 PM
OMG - could face-plant myself right in the middle of that bread!!! mouth is watering as i leave this comment - and some raw honey??? temptress!!
NisrineMay 9, 2011 at 7:19 PM
Oh Gosh, what a most gorgeous challah!! Looove it!
Savoring ItalyMay 9, 2011 at 8:23 PM
I've been waiting for this honey challah! Unbelieveable...and raw honey? Just gorgeous, Shulie. Send me some!!!:)
BunkycooksMay 10, 2011 at 8:37 AM
What a beautiful bread Shulie! Challah is one of my hubby's favorites, so I will remember this recipe next time I make some.
MariaMay 10, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Beautiful bread!
KimMay 10, 2011 at 9:24 AM
love challah bread. i want to try making this bread one day!!!
katMay 10, 2011 at 10:17 AM
That is some beautiful looking bread!
SomaMay 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM
what a beautiful looking bread. I have always wanted to bake a challah, you know since when:) I need to do a pretty one like this.
AnnapetMay 10, 2011 at 11:42 AM
It's so beautiful! I'm going over at Pepy's, too!

One of these days, I'll learn to bake =).
foodwanderingsMay 10, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Thank you guys!! Your notes mean a lot to me!! Yes, raw honey:). My favorite pic is the third shot as you see the texture and consistency reached in the challah, with ingredients, braiding and rising, it's really authentic.
Marnely Rodriguez-MurrayMay 10, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Gorgeous loaf! I love the raw honey picture :)
Tanvi@Sinfully SpicyMay 10, 2011 at 5:38 PM
This challah looks both rustic & decadent with that pretty baked crust.I m still not friends with yeast, when I will, I would bake this! Thanks for the raw honey picture, never saw it!
Baker StreetMay 11, 2011 at 1:14 AM
WOAH!! That's gorgeous Shulie! I love it. I'm surely going to give this a try. :)

Happy Birthday Pepy.
OMG! YummyMay 11, 2011 at 7:34 PM
This is beautiful Shulie! Very similar to the recipe I make and similar to my grandmother's -though I think she only used sugar, no honey. I am growing very fond of using honey as a sweetener in many things and will give this a try. I am not a confident baker, but have succeeded more than once with challah. And I love them round. Beautiful, beautiful job Shulie!
Angie's RecipesMay 12, 2011 at 12:20 AM
The challah looks gorgeous!
TorviewtorontoMay 14, 2011 at 2:44 PM
looks wonderfully delicious
Xiaolu @ 6 BittersweetsMay 17, 2011 at 4:15 PM
What a beautiful loaf of challah. Just made it myself for the first time and fell in love :).
AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 9:54 PM
Hi there -- how do you braid a round challah like this? I've mastered a few standard variations, but the round ones stump me!
foodwanderingsJune 27, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Thank you Nellie and Tanvi, yep raw honey is appearing on regular supermarkets nowadays which makes me happy!! :) Tanvi yeast dough, especially challah is super easy. TY An, this one is a must!! Aww Orly you grandmother's recipe?! How special!!Share it if you can sometime:).TY Angie, Torviewtoronto & Xiaolu yay your first loaf?! Be warned it's addictive!! :) @KosherCamambert nice to meet you!! I get stumped by 5 or 6 braid challah still practicing, Round challahs are super easy. Braid a three braid challah then roll as a snail and tuck edges gently underneath loaf. Easy peasy
TerraSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:23 PM
I seriously drool whenever I see a loaf of bread, I just LOVE bread! Your Challah looks so gorgeous, and I love love the sesame seeds on top! Hugs, Terra