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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

"Challah Dolly" is not your bubbe’s challah

“Challah Dolly” is not your bubbe’s challah

Shani R. Friedman, In partneship with TC|JewfolkPublished June 19, 2022

During the pandemic, many people have taken up hobbies or learned new skills, some to keep from losing their minds, others for more entrepreneurial reasons. Dolly Meckler, founder of Challah Dolly, falls into the latter camp. Having left New York...

Sudeep Agarwala is a yeast scientist and challah enthusiast whose guidance for home bakers has taken off online. (Courtesy of Agarwala) 

Meet the challah-tinkering yeast scientist who’s helping pandemic bread bakers get a good rise

Philissa CramerPublished March 31, 2020

(JTA) — Few people have any great solutions for this difficult moment in human history, but Sudeep Agarwala is one of them.As a yeast scientist, Agarwala spends much of his time thinking about the single-celled fungi that allow bread to rise. So when...

Stephanie Kutner

I’m staying sane during the pandemic by reclaiming an age-old Jewish tradition: Baking challah

By Stephanie KutnerPublished March 26, 2020

CHICAGO (JTA) — As the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, we’re all tasked with slowing its spread through social isolation. That’s not necessarily a big ask for someone like me. I can deal with people in short bursts but, for the most...

Fasolakia. Photo: Michael Kahn

Jews of Greece inspire Rosh Hashanah recipes

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished September 19, 2019

I have always enjoyed Greek food, the distinctive flavors of fresh parsley, dill, garlic, oregano, cinnamon, allspice and honey, and the use of fresh lemon in so many dishes. And, of course, the luscious vegetables that thrive in Mediterranean climates:...

Whole Wheat Raisin Challah. Photo: Michael Kahn

Whole Wheat Raisin Challah

Margi Lenga KahnPublished September 19, 2019

Ingredients:Heaping ½ c. raisins, black or gold, soaked in ½ c. hot water for 30 minutes and drained (reserve water, if using).1 c. milk, almond milk or water (You can use the soaking water after draining the raisins and add enough other liquid of your...

Recipe: Boyoja Ungola Di-Purim (Haman’s Eyes Buried in Challah)

By Margi Lenga KahnPublished March 14, 2019

Ingredients:1 pound portion of unbaked challah dough, kneaded and risen for 1½ hours, or held overnight in the refrigerator. 2 hardboiled eggsDirections:Cut off a fist-size portion of the dough, set small portion onto the side of your counter and cover...

Challah photo by Michael Kahn

Challah

Recipe adapted from “The Silver Palate Cookbook” by Julee Rosso and Sheila LukinsPublished August 31, 2018

Ingredients2 cups warm milk or water, about 110 degrees1/3 cup granulated sugar7 tbsp. unsalted butter or vegetable oil, plus more for oiling bowl and pan2½ tsp. active dry yeast (or 1 package)3 large eggs, lightly beaten1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten2...

Chicken Marbella. Photo: Michael Kahn

Go-to holiday recipes from beloved cookbook

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished August 31, 2018

Culinary traditions and culture are intrinsically linked. Nowhere is this more evident than in the foods we associate with our Jewish holidays. You probably can name several such foods off the top of your head: latkes on Hanukkah, hamentaschen on Purim,...

Holiday Challah

Recipe: Holiday challahs

BY MARGI LENGA KAHN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished October 4, 2017

Ingredients:1 cup golden raisins, soaked in 2 cups very hot water for 20 minutes 1 tbsp. active dry yeast ½ cup (and a pinch) granulated sugar 6 cups (approximately) all-purpose flour or bread flour  Finely grated zest of 1 medium orange 3 large...

On Nov. 10, Jewish women across the globe, including St. Louis, will participate in a world-wide challah bake.  Photo: Spoonful of Sugar Photography

Breadwinner

Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished October 19, 2016

BreadwinnerIt can feel empowering to be part of something much bigger than we are. That’s more or less the idea behind the Great Big Challah Bake St. Louis, which is slated for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Clayton Plaza Hotel.The challah bake is part of...

Alon Shaya. Photo: Marianna Massey

Alon Shaya’s challah recipe

BY BETH KISSILEFF, JTAPublished September 28, 2016

Alon Shaya, executive chef and partner at New Orleans restaurants Domenica, Pizza Domenica and Shaya, and named best chef in the South by the James Beard FoundationFor Shaya, challah is central to the Rosh Hashanah festivities.“I love keeping our...

Butternut Squash and Sage Challah

By Shannon SarnaPublished September 24, 2015

If butternut squash challah sounds a bit bizarre, it’s actually quite similar to a pumpkin or sweet potato challah, which may be more common. The texture of this dough is smooth, slightly sweet and pairs perfectly with savory sage. It is equally delicious...

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