A Nod to my Czech Heritage

I have been doing some genealogy investigation on my fathers side and have found out that my great-grandfather and family immigrated from Bohemia, before it was a part of the Czech Republic. I am still trying to find more info but while I am running down any leads I decided to try make some Kolaches a fruit filled pastry made in that region.

I used this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Kolaches-II/Detail.aspx and also some of the fillings from this one: http://www.recipezaar.com/Sweet-Kolache-Recipe-39387 . My first attempt is pictured above. The dough was light and very soft it came out perfect! I didn't put them close enough together to get the square sides as you traditional see but they came out great anyway. I made a second batch for our congregations Hanukkah party and made them smaller more bite size and put them closer together and they came out great also. But, the night that I made them it was VERY humid here in Houston and the dough was stickier than usual, I should have put a little more flour in the dough, so adjust if needed. I also "glazed" them with a liquid powdered sugar glaze, but they are great with out it if you decide not to!

Have fun and give them a try, it's a great recipe for beginners and they taste great! If you haven't already search out your heritage and try out a recipe from it! If you try making Kolaches post and let me know!

Until the next post, Shalom!

Sonya

Comments are always welcome I'd love to hear from you!

The Smell of Fresh Baked Bread

Today the UPS man brought my brand new Kitchenaid mixer! I bought it so I could mix the bread dough better. So I ripped into the box and went right to mixing bread dough. I used the white bread dough recipe in the book that came with the mixer to try it out. I put the dough in the warm oven to rise and then read in the recipe that it made two loaves. I only had one small loaf pan. Off to the store to buy bread pans! I love the way the mixer kneads the dough for you. I have trouble doing it because of my back and can't work it enough so that it will be light. My husband even tried it out baking two loaves of banana bread. My daughter in the Navy stationed in Bremerton, WA was on the phone while he was mixing it and said to send her some! Won't she be surprised when she receives a banana bread! It will probably cost a bunch to send it 2nd day air so it won't be spoiled by the time it reaches her, but it will be worth it to hear her laughter.

The garden is growing well and I have a tomato with a nose that looks like Gonzo off of Sesame Street! I think when it is ripe I will put two wiggle eyes on it and tell my grandsons that it is Gonzo! They want to pick them right now. I quilled a little Trex dino for my oldest grandson and then my youngest one wanted a big dino picture. So we went to the store to look for coloring books that had the right kind of pictures that could be filled in with quilled shapes. We found his favorite one, a triceratops, and he asks everyday if I have finished it. Well tomorrow night is the start of the Sabbath and I will try the challah recipie out on my new mixer.

Comments are welcome if you have the time,

Shalom,
Sonya

Happy Birthday Mason!

Today is my husbands birthday! I am grateful and blessed that the Lord has given him to me as my soul mate for these 29.5 years! I tried my hand at baking challah bread for Shabbat dinner tonight as a treat for him. We will be taking him to a restaurant for dinner but will take our challah with us. He said I was mean for baking bread that he couldn't have until tonight. I was inspired to try baking bread by my sister who does often with great success.

The first of her recipes that I tried was her "Easy Bagels". They were not pretty but they were good! Next time they will look like they are supposed to be. So, next I tried the challah and it worked beautifully. The recipe is at the end of this post, so you can try it for yourself. I didn't use my sisters recipe this time but will next time. Also you can visit my sister's blog with more great recipes, it is at: http://www.creamerchronicles.blogspot.com/ . I have started my list of other blogs that I like also.

It is grey and overcast here in Houston today and my veggie seedlings aren't getting much sun. I have posted a pic of them and the first rose of my flower garden, the pink one graciously bloomed first, my favorite rose color. This is my first veggie garden and I pray that I can tend it well. Once a month I am going to add the devotionals that I have written and new ones after that. Comments are welcome so please do!

Shalom,

Sonya

My first challah!

Challah Bread Recipe
Makes 2 loafs

2pkgs (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
(+ 1 teaspoon sugar for proofing yeast)
1 cup warm water (110 - 115 degrees)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
4 eggs
6 to 61/2 cups all-purpose flour
Topping:
1 egg
1 teaspoon cold water
1 Tablespoon sesame or poppy seeds, optional

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water (*I add 1 teaspoon sugar to proof the yeast according to the directions on the yeast pkg.). Add the oil, sugar, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface: knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour (*I turn my oven on and heat to 200 degrees then turn off. I put my dough in the oven with the light on for warmth and let my dough rise there.)

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15" rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Beat egg and cold water; brush over braids. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to racks to cool.

(*You can add cinnimon and raisins for holiday challah. I have wrapped the second loaf in plastic wrap after the first rising and braiding and put it in a ziplock back in the freezer to use later. Just let thaw and rise the second time and brush with the egg and bake as usual. Sonya's tips in parenthesis)

This recipie is taken from the "Taste of Home Heartwarming Soups" 2008 edition magazine

My first veggie seedlings!

My first rose of the season!

Ah, Spring is comming!