CHALLAH, CHALLAH FOR CHOCOLATE

Chanukah may stir up memories of getting gold covered milk chocolate coins used to play dreidel games or just as one of eight gifts for the holiday.   For me, I would rather have chocolate used in the baked goods that was bought at a kosher bakery such as Alan’s Bake Shop, located in Fresh Meadows.

 

“Parve” is the word that describes the cakes, cookies and bread.  It means that neither meat nor dairy is used so that it does not clash with what you are eating, since the two should not be mixed in the same meal.  Therefore, milk chocolate does not fall into play.  According to Alan’s sales, Jewish people might as well be classified as “chocoholics.”  

As the weekend approaches the challah breads become available both for those who break bread for the Sabbath or just anyone who loves the best French Toast.   Does chocolate have anything to do with it?  Yes, if it is one of many break away challahs made here.   They resemble a round cake with separated buns and can contain fruit, chocolate or a combination of.   

I have often wondered why chiffon cake could only be purchased at a kosher bakery, a cross between angel food and sponge.  Oy, it is so delicious!  Alan told me that it is probably due to it being a labored product as the eggs are separated.   Yolks are first mixed into the batter and whipped egg whites are folded in.  “We don’t use any type of mixes as all of our baked goods are made from scratch.” (Hmmm….is “scratch “on the money market?) Here, the chiffon cakes are sold in loaves and come in plain, marbled and CHOCOLATE.  Other kosher bakeries have a sheet cake displayed where you buy it by the pound. 

Babka is quite popular everywhere.  They are made from a doubled and twisted length of yeast dough and comes in the flavors of cinnamon or CHOCOLATE with crumbs atop.  Hey, don’t remove the big crumbs unless it’s your portion of the cake!   If you crave that combination of chocolate and crumbs, a babka known as a “meltaway” is the one you want.  It is like having a coffee cake shaped babka.   

Chocolate covered brownies dipped in chocolate and covered with marshmallows.  Did you just get sugar shock picturing that? 

I recall eating each separate layer of the seven layer cakes.  Chocolate frosting in between and topped with a layer of hard dark….CHOCOLATE.  

Back to the holidays when fried food is featured.  Time to make the deep-fried donuts called sufganiyah.  Filled with jelly or custard and topped with powdered sugar, they are only available for Hanukkah the way hamentashen is paired with Purim.  I wonder if they can make ‘em dipped in chocolate? 

Let us not forget rugalach.  I have eaten them soft.  I have eaten them crunchy.  I prepare the soft and Alan said that most of his customers feel the same way. What makes the difference is that yeast is used for the small batch and….CHOCOLATE is my top choice.  

If you are looking for a pastry that contains almonds, you won’t find it here.  Nuts to nuts.  It may taste like almond, but is actually a paste made from debittered apricot kernels, sugar and water.  

Alan’s Bake Shop is located at 189-09 Union Turnpike.  718-468-1243. Have a Happy Challahday!!!

                                         

HOORAY FOR CHALLYWOOD

Challah bread, once a staple of the Jewish community, now gets placed at your table at most diners and considered the best for indulging in a great French Toast.   In most cases this sweet bread comes in the form of a traditional braided loaf and given the choices of plain with poppy or sesame seeds covering the top, or with raisins.  

Over at Violet’s pareve kosher bakery the shapes and varieties are more unusual since her son Michael has formed a business within called, Challywood.   You might have heard the name as the ABC show The Chew got word of a particular flavor of apple cinnamon, ventured over to do an interview, and satiated it on air.  It was obvious how much they enjoyed it as most of the hosts were coming up with both breakfast and dessert ideas.

Michael Kahan left his Wall Street career to assist his parents, Violet and Marty, in what seemed to becoming a failing business and in came a TLC (The Learning Channel) program Bakery Boss to “rescue”.   The most important changes were made and Challywood was featured.

“When eating Challah, it is customary to break off small rounded pieces from the braided loaf instead of slicing it. With this in mind, the more modern version of Challah can be found in a rounded version baked in a tin pan. This “Pull-Apart Challah” has gained popularity over the last 2 decades.”

One day, Michael added lemon and found how good it tasted.  That started the idea of the bakery’s expansion and added name of Challywood. 

Having watched the segment on tv, I went over to the location at 189-09 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows to view both signs of Violet’s Bake Shop and Challywood.   Although Challywood’s address is 189-07, the only entrance at this point is into the bakery. 

I met the family and toured the back where two bakers were at work just tending to some of these “Pull-Aparts”, piping in the “flavors” prior to the baking.   Another employee was focused on making the pastries. 

A bit too early for the “fresh out of the oven” I viewed several of the “bun” ilk already packaged.   Needless to say I had to sample some of them beginning with the apple cinnamon.   This is where challah bread crosses with a Danish but not as sweet nor crusted.

I’ve never had bread made with chocolate.  OMG.  Only dark chocolate is used at a pareve bakery and it suited me just fine.  Cocoa baked in the bread itself and then drizzled with chocolate.  They do have a Chocolate Chip as well. 

Other “sweet-dessert type” flavors include: blueberry splash, cherry, chocolate cherry, chocolate coconut, raspberry, chocolate raspberry and lemon chip. Imagine your own creations of bread puddings. 

Let’s not put aside the more savory flavors such as Southwestern Spice, Garlic and Italian Herb and Everything…superb choices for the dinner table.  Meatballs with pasta anyone? 

Challywood’s website provides further information on the products as well as the ability to shop and have your order delivered.  Think of friends and family from “out of town”.  You may want to call 718-776-1905 before popping in to see if the more special ones are available.   www.challywood.com