Christmas Challah

Challah for Christmas breakfast is a bit like having ham for Hanukkah, but I was in the mood for a rich saffrony bread. My mother once spend hours and hours making what I can only guess was Panettone but as I can make Challah without thinking I just add dried fruit and nuts the dough.

Makes 1 large loaf
1 pinch saffron
1 tsp sugar
1 cup dried chopped fruit
1 tsp yeast
1 pinch salt
4 eggs (med)
1 cup chopped nuts and seeds
3-4 cups flour
2 Tbs poppy seeds

Make saffron powered by grinding the saffron in a small pestle and mortar (or small cup and the end of a wooden spoon) with the sugar. In a large bowl add the saffron powder and dried fruit and cover with bowling water. Let stand for 10 min or add the yeast and let prof. Then add 3 eggs to the mix with a pinch of salt. Add the nuts and then slowly start adding the flour. You may need more or lest flour (just ask your dried fruit its up to them). Let raise 4 hours or overnight.
Turn oven to hottest setting. 220c. Divide into 3 parts. Roll into snakes and braid. Make an egg wash with the last egg and paint the dough. Cover the top with poppy seeds. Bake for 30-35 min until nice and brown.
So what did we have with Christmas Challah? What else but smoked mackerel and starfish cookies. It was wried but tasty.

Turkey Sandwich on Challah

This is not a left-over turkey sandwich but bite size holiday in your mouth. Any bread would do, but my family loves my sisters Challah rolls. Over the last year my sister and I have been writing our own Challah recipe, but she lost it! I guess I'll have to start all again.
Makes 1 Sandwich
1 Challah Roll
1 slice Roast Turkey
1 tsp Cranberry Chutney
If you want to try your hand at Challah try this Bread Machine Challah Recipe. Its a bit to sweet for me. I'll be sure to post our family recipe (once its found or recreated).