Fluffy Bao Bag

On the first day of Hebrew school, they took all the kindergartners into the Temple's kitchen and we braided Challah bread together. Weaving and wrapping our own individual loaves, I remember the smell of the flour and egg wash filling the room as they baked in the warm ovens. I was so shy and nervous to be in this new class setting, but was familiar with baking because I would bake with my mom almost every weekend (I loved treats!). It seemed even at the age of 6, everyone else in the class was friends and knew each other well. I felt so shy and couldn’t bring myself to look up from my Challah braiding. I found comfort in the puffy texture of the dough and when it was done cooling from the oven, I wrapped mine in a paper towel and excitedly brought it back home to present to my dad. He loved it and said it was the best Challah he ever had. Big words from a guy who considers himself a bread connoisseur. 

My dad has always been a big lover of Challah, baguettes,and toast. It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned his love for bread came from his experience of growing up in Romania, where food wasn’t always on the table and when a fresh loaf of bread was bought, not a piece was wasted. He said bread brought him comfort in those hard times and I think over the years this particular food still provides him with that enjoyment. Inspired by my dad this is a Challah that will last a lifetime.