The First Kosher Cooking Carnival of 5774

The Kosher Cooking Carnival is a monthly blog carnival dedicated to all aspects of kosher cooking and kosher food.  I began it many years ago after a "recipe carnival" rejected my post, because the edition's theme was pork.  As a response, I got the message and instituted this blog carnival.  You can submit links via blog carnival, and we use our facebook page as a forum to volunteer to host and announce the posting of editions etc.  Please share this edition of the carnival and the various posts included, thanks.  If you have any questions, just contact me at shilohmuse at gmail dot com.

fruit head, 5774

And don't forget to have a wonderful, healthy, joy-filled year, 5774.

Welcome to the September 8, 2013 edition of kosher cooking carnival-kcc. Some of these posts came via blog carnival, and others I added from blogs I follow.


Reesa Stone presents reesasworld: Cookies, Elul, and G-d posted at reesasworld.

any time dishes

Jennifer's Fresh & local! Find out what...
Batya presents me-ander: Delicious, Easy and Low Carb Musakka posted at me-ander.

anything kosher!

Ruti's "only in Israel" kosher of course food story: Neve Daniel to the Rescue!

Batya presents me-ander: It Was Worth it! posted at me-ander.

My Right Word: I Have a Hot Idea posted at My Right Word.

Yosef presents Fried Green Tomatoes – Gluten Free Recipe posted at This American Bite, saying, "Bringing a little bit of the South into the kitchen!"

 

Every day meals

Batya presents me-ander: Baked Onion Omelet and the Story Of Course posted at me-ander.
Hannah's Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup

Halacha

Ben-Yehudah presents Esser Agaroth: What could happen to a Rabbi who does his job? posted at Esser Agaroth.
Reesa's Cookies, Elul, and G-d, food for thought.

Jewish Shabbat and Holiday food

Devo K presents In the middle, on the right: Rosh Hashana roses posted at In the middle, on the right.
Hadassa presents Challah Demos in Bergenfield
Lorri's Honey Cake for the New Year
Hannah's Salmon and Kiwi Verrine

Restaurant or Cookbook Reviews

Ben-Yehudah presents Top Ten Hidden Gems of Jerusalem posted at Esser Agaroth.

Batya presents me-ander: More in My Coffee Saga posted at me-ander, saying, "coffee review"


That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of kosher cooking carnival-kcc using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Challah Baking Tips, Our Favorite Challah Shapes and Readiness Check

Our family's favorite shape for challah is one I once learned from an elderly neighbor when we lived in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem.  I've never seen it any place else besides our home and that time she showed us how to do it.

Use any challah recipe, white, whole-wheat, spelt etc.  I've been "just winging it" not measuring exactly recently.  And I've also been using half whole wheat and half white flour in my challah.  This week, when I baked to freeze in advance, I didn't use my usual dark brown sugar.  I used white with some maple syrup. I just felt inspired.  I hope it comes out well.  There's no reason it shouldn't.

When it comes the time to shape the challah, after it has risen and been punched down,

• take six equal pieces and
• roll them into "strings"
• lay them on the table, baking sheet or whatever
• three horizontal and three vertical
• "weave"
• braid the ends
• tuck the ends of the braid underneath

Afterwards "paint" with raw egg and let the challah rise before baking.

When baking the challah, start on a higher than for a cake heat until it starts browning, and then lower the heat until it's lower than for a cake.

The challah will be ready when it's hard and brown on the bottom.

Here it is!

PS yes, it's a different shape from the one illustrated earlier in the post.  This one is the easiest and most fun.  This is the simple ball challah.  Just take pieces, roll them into balls and place them together in the baking pan or baking sheet.  The balls don't have to be exactly the same size.  Don't obsess, please.  It should be fun and easy to bake challah.

You let the guests or family just grab a ball when serving.  Don't cut this challah with a knife.