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:

  1. Beautiful challah, Shulie :)

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  2. Oh wow, that's gorgeous. Hoping over to Pepy's now to get the recipe.

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  3. 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!

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  4. Beautiful! I loved learning more about the history of challah.

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  5. A wonderful guest post! I miss my mother's homemade challah. It was always fun watching her make it it. This one looks fantastic!

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  6. 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. :-)

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  7. Challah looks absolutely delicious. Two challahs will barely last in my house :).

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  8. Your Challah looks delicious Shulie! Going to check out the recipe on Indonesia Eats.

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  9. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL Challah! I can't wait to try this for Shabbat. And it would be perfect with Harayme!

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  10. 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.

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  11. Hmmm, that looks so delicious...and adding honey to this beautiful challah bread is somehow quite beautiful...

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  12. 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!!

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  13. Oh Gosh, what a most gorgeous challah!! Looove it!

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  14. I've been waiting for this honey challah! Unbelieveable...and raw honey? Just gorgeous, Shulie. Send me some!!!:)

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  15. What a beautiful bread Shulie! Challah is one of my hubby's favorites, so I will remember this recipe next time I make some.

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  16. love challah bread. i want to try making this bread one day!!!

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  17. That is some beautiful looking bread!

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  18. 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.

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  19. It's so beautiful! I'm going over at Pepy's, too!

    One of these days, I'll learn to bake =).

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  20. 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.

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  21. Gorgeous loaf! I love the raw honey picture :)

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  22. 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!

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  23. WOAH!! That's gorgeous Shulie! I love it. I'm surely going to give this a try. :)


    Happy Birthday Pepy.

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  24. 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!

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  25. What a beautiful loaf of challah. Just made it myself for the first time and fell in love :).

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  26. Hi there -- how do you braid a round challah like this? I've mastered a few standard variations, but the round ones stump me!

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  27. 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

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  28. 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

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