I texted I was coming over, wrapped up the Challah in parchment paper and walked over to Paul’s house to deliver the goods.
Kock, knock, knock.
Louder, with a touch of the ring tapping on the wood.
Ring the bell Long, Short, Short, Short.
The cars are in the driveway and the lights are on, maybe the got picked up for dinner? Why am I so uncomfortable in sharing this Challah, maybe it is basic insecurity with a hint of shame, knowing my braiding was just ok and my end tucking game can be stronger. I must slow down and paint the Challah at the 20 minute mark instead of rushing to avoid the heat changing too much in the oven as the steam singes the hairs on my arms and blurs my glasses.
Paul open the door, talking with someone on his phone across the World, smiling and trying to explain the situation at his front door, wondering why I was waving a bag at him in the evening dusk, muttering, Challah, enjoy!
Sharing a Challah with my neighbors who meditate daily and teach mindfulness to people all over the World is strangely important to me, sharing how I am working to create peace internally and finding a way to engage with Jewish culture in our community. Even my mis-shapen braids in the Challah and awkward communication in handing off the bread, the intention and feeling are conveyed, this is a small moment of peace I experienced and you can make it your own.
This is the test, does it work.
Baking and Meditating.
Sharing Jewish culture.
I will get better at it all, I promise! And, see below the recipe from Paul and the lovely photo from Jeannie.
Oven-Baked French Toast
Ingredients
8 slices of Jamie’s Divine Challah – ¾-1” thick; cut the evening before to let it
“dry out” a bit
1/3 Cup Melted Butter – I enjoy a lightly salted variety
2 Tablespoons Sugar – my preference is Turbinado (cane sugar w. a touch of
molasses added in the processing – rich a maintains a bit of “crunch”)
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Eggs
¾ Cup Orange Juice
½- 1 Teaspoon Orange Zest
1 Splash Amaretto (Jack Daniels is great too – use what you have on hand)
Dusting of Powdered Sugar to finish
How to
– Pre-heat oven to 425 °
– Pour Melted Butter into a pan large enough for the 8 slices (I use a Corning ware
oval…whatever fits is best)
– Mix Sugar and Cinnamon; sprinkle over the butter
– Beat Eggs with Orange Juice, Zest and Amaretto
– Dip Each slice of bread in the batter, 15 seconds of so – a good soak – and place
in pan
– Pour any remaining batter over the arranged slices
– Bake for 10-12 minutes, until firm and lightly browned
– Sprinkle w. Powdered Sugar
– I love it drizzled with a good organic maple syrup…whatever suits you
