Hi Jean,

It's been a while since I posted. Here's a song that I've been working on since before Christmas, when I decided I wanted to film an instructional video on how to make this tradition bread. The song just came. I'm still editing. I only wrote it all down this past weekend.

The Challah Song

The way to make a challah, my method you’ll be taught,
With water, yeast, and honey, eggs and butter, flour, salt.
I’ll show you how I mix it up, and when to let it rest,
To twist in a pretty braid, some say that mine’s the best.

Cause I sing it songs. Knead a little love in, all along.
And here’s the test, try all the rest, then say which is best.

A cup of lukewarm water, two tablespoons of yeast,
Stir, then proof it, honey add a quarter cup at least,
A half a stick of butter, melted, eggs I use just four,
Two pounds of flour, salt is last, a tablespoon, no more.

Then I mix it all, til it pulls away and it forms a ball.
Covered, let it rest, warm bowl for a nest, til doubled is best.

I punch it down, then pinch, in four, I knead them round, now here’s the chore,
Eighteen no less, roll strands of four, then cover, rest ten minutes more.

With time on my hands, I butter a pan,
Sprinkle it please, with sesame seeds,

Braiding from the middle, it’s laid out I X I,
It’s over under to the end, then do the other side.
With water on my fingers, I marry up the ends,
Then tuck them down and under, on this pinching it depends.

Gently place it on the pan, cover, rest til doubled and
If I please, the oven needs, three hundred degrees.

When the loaf has risen, I brush it with an egg,
Then sprinkle it with poppy seeds, the oven calls, it begs.
I bake til it’s golden brown, I check it when the smell
Of heaven that has come to earth, is done, it’s how I tell.

It will make you drool, if you have to wait for it to cool.
So don’t be shy, give it a try, then you’ll know why.

This challah’s the best, but first say God bless,
It’s manna I guess, go try all the rest,
My challah’s the best.


Copyright Ó 2010 Michael Wind

Last edited by Michael Wind; 03/08/10 02:56 PM.
"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix