Challah Bread Cherry Turnovers Food

ORANGE-FIG TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the orange juice, figs and raisins in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until hot, about 1 minute. Let sit until the dried fruit is soft, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer 1 tablespoon of the juice to a food processor, then drain the dried fruit and add to the processor. Add the honey, orange zest, lemon zest and cinnamon and pulse to make a paste.
• Roll out 1 piece of dough into a 10-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Cut out circles using a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter. Drop 1 teaspoon of the dried fruit paste in the center of each circle; fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, pinching the edges together to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork, then poke a few small holes in the top of each. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Transfer the turnovers to the prepared baking sheets; bake, switching the pans halfway through, until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

CHEDDAR-CHIVE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Mix 3 tablespoons melted butter with a pinch of salt and cayenne. Lay out rounds of refrigerated biscuit dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush with the butter; top with shredded cheddar and chopped chives. Fold into half-moons and crimp to seal, then bake as the label directs. Brush with more butter.

GARLIC AND ONION CHALLAH BREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon of the sugar and give it a little stir. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes foamy on top.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl or the bowl of stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the flour, kosher salt and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the oil and 4 of the eggs.
• When the yeast is foamy, add it to the dry mixture immediately followed by the egg mixture and stir to combine. Knead, either by hand on a floured surface or with a dough hook, adding more white flour as necessary (but resist any urge to add too much!), until you have a smooth and slightly sticky dough, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours. It will take slightly longer if you're using whole wheat flour. Alternatively, you can stick it in the refrigerator overnight and then let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before shaping.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll out each piece into a large strip, 1/2 to 1/4 inch thick and about 3 inches wide. Brush down each center with melted butter. Down the center, add the chopped onions and garlic. Roll each piece to seal in the onion mixture. Braid 3 of the pieces together, tucking the ends underneath to seal. Repeat with the remaining 3 pieces to make a second loaf. Place on the lined baking sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the honey and remaining egg in a small bowl. Brush the bread top with the mixture and sprinkle with flaky salt.
• Bake until golden brown and not doughy in the center, about 35 minutes, but start checking at 28 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

CHALLAH CROWNS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, sugar, and yeast together in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
• Whisk the water and honey with 1 whole egg, all the yolks, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl and pour into the well. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon to make a soft, shaggy, moist dough. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead by hand, adding up to 3/4 cup more flour as needed, until the dough is soft and supple, about 8 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball.
• Brush a large bowl with oil and turn dough around in bowl to coat lightly. Cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel and set aside until dough doubles in size, about 1 hour. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead briefly to release excess air, re-shape into a ball and return to the bowl. Cover and set aside until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Line 2 baking sheet pans with parchment paper. Divide the dough in half. Lightly dust hands with flour and roll each portion of dough into a 30-inch-long log. (If dough resists, then cover and let rest for 5 or 10 minutes before shaping). Spiral each length of dough around itself to form a coiled round loaf on the prepared pans. Lightly stretch the end of the coil and moisten it with water; gently press the end into the side of the round to seal the coil into a loaf. Press down on the loaves gently, cover with a kitchen towel and set aside until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Beat the remaining egg with a tablespoon of water and brush loaves evenly with it; sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired. Put the loaves in the oven and immediately turn the oven down to 400 degrees, and bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the crown registers 190 degrees F, about 30 to 35 minutes.