Taking Challah

Taking Challah

The Shlah explains that everything we observe in this world has a spiritual parallel. The nourishment that food gives the body has a parallel nourishment that sustains the soul. "Man does not live by bread alone, but rather by what comes forth from God's mouth does man live" (Deut. 8:3). The Torah is telling us that while bread alone may sustain the body, it is the word of God -- concealed within the physical properties of the bread -- that sustains one's soul. And separating challah initiates this process of spiritual nurture.

It is instructive to note that in the biblical text (Numbers ch. 15), the mitzvah of challah is juxtaposed to the laws prohibiting idol worship. What possible connection exists between uplifting bread and polytheism?

The nature of idol worship is to see the Creator as being removed from His creations. Idolaters will isolate whatever they perceive as being the most powerful or beautiful force in the created world, and use it as a medium in their search for a God who they perceive as ultimately inaccessible. It is inconceivable to them that God can be found in the midst of the world that seems to cry out, "We're here because we're here because we're here." By taking challah, we are saying that God is here! He is the source of our souls, bodies, and the forces that sustain them. He is One, and nothing is separate from His transcendental unity.

Quoted from Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller

The Challah Dough Cover

The New Jewish Family Kitchen

The New Jewish Family Kitchen

The Jewish Cooking

The Jewish Cooking
the traditions, techniques, ingredients, and recipes

Moist and Fudgy Brownies

These brownies are heavenly!

4 squares of unsweetened Baking Chocolate
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sugar
8 large egg whites
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped Pecans or Walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13x9 baking dish with foil, with ends of foil extending over short sides of pan. Grease foil.

Microwave chocolate in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 minute. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add oil, applesauce and vanilla; mix well. Stir in sugar. Add egg whites, stir until well blended. Add flour and nuts; mix well. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake 25 minutes or until brownies start to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely. Remove brownies from pan using foil handles.

If they last long enough to cool...you can use a small food strainer to sift 1 to 2 teaspoons powdered sugar over the cooled brownies.

Too much seasoning?

I had always heard if your soup was too salty just throw in a raw potato and that will solve the problem...never worked for me.

Now I read that if your dish is too salty try adding a bit of sugar or maple syrup.

If it's too sweet then lemon or vinegar will cut down on both too-salty or too-sweet dishes. If the dish is savory you can add a dash of cayenne to cut down on the sugar.

If it's too spicy add something with a little fat like butter or something sweet like peanut butter or honey.

I'd like to know if anyone has had any success using any of these methods.

BBQ Kosher Salmon Fillets

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup prepared Barbecue Sauce
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 4 salmon fillets or steaks (1 lb.)

PREHEAT greased grill to medium-high heat. Mix barbecue sauce, brown sugar and onions until well blended.

GRILL salmon 4 min. on each side. Brush generously with the barbecue sauce mixture. Continue grilling 2 to 4 min. or until salmon flakes easily with fork, turning occasionally and brushing with the remaining barbecue sauce mixture.

SERVE with hot cooked rice.

Substitute:Substitute halibut steaks for the salmon.

Use Your Broiler

Mix barbecue sauce mixture as directed. Place salmon on rack of broiler pan 3 to 5 inches from heat. Broil 4 min. on each side. Brush generously with barbecue sauce mixture. Broil an additional 2 to 4 min. or until salmon flakes easily with fork, turning once and brushing occasionally with the remaining barbecue sauce mixture.

also see Jewish Recipes Fish

Honey

Honey Color, Flavor and Form

Color, Flavor and Form Honeys differ in color and taste depending on the blossoms visited by the honey bees. In general, lighter-colored honeys are milder in flavor while darker-colored honeys are bolder. Honey is enjoyed in several forms – comb honey, liquid honey and whipped honey.

Storage Store honey at room temperature, never in the refrigerator. If honey crystallizes, simply place the honey container in warm water and stir until crystals dissolve. Or, microwave 1 cup of honey in a microwave-safe container, stirring every 30 seconds, until crystals dissolve. Be careful not to boil or scorch the honey.

Health Benefits Research has shown that unlike most other sweeteners, honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals and amino acids as well as antioxidants. Honey's composition also makes it an effective antimicrobial agent. Research continues into the use of honey for treating minor burns and scrapes and for aiding the treatment of sore throats and other bacterial infections. Honey is also a great pre-workout energy source, aiding an athlete's endurance and helping the athlete's muscles recuperate following a race or workout.

Beauty Treatments Honey is a natural humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. Try using honey in facial masks, bath oils, hair conditioners and more.

Substitution and Cooking Tips For best results, select recipes developed for using honey. When you do substitute honey for granulated sugar in recipes, begin by substituting honey for up to half of the sugar called for in the recipe. With experimentation, honey can be substituted for all of the sugar in some recipes. When substituting honey for sugar in baked goods:

• Reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup for each cup of honey used.
• Add about 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used.
• Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.
  
  Note: Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.

Why is Honey Kosher?