Anyway, so the free turkey rules are all very complicated, evidenced by the fact that it takes half a page to print them in the circular each week. And so at the end of the day, the rule that was in effect that night (and I'm pretty sure it's all about who you ask) was that a percentage of the price of each pound of turkey was deducted from the price. Got that? I'm just happy my math guy was at the supermarket and I wasn't because I probably would have just left the turkey there. After scanning everything, the turkey wound up costing only $7. Free, $7, it's all the same.
The turkey has about an hour or so to go and the challah dough should be done rising about the same time the turkey comes out of the oven. Oh, and the boys should be home from school at the exact same time that all that will be taking place. I guess challah baking will be a group activity today. Fun for all.
Here is the challah recipe that we have been using.
My cousin, Chani, gave it to me months ago and we have been loving it ever since. I promised to post it here before Succot and I forgot, so with apologies, here goes nothing:
Challah Recipe:
2 packets of dry yeast
2.5 cups of warm to hot water
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp salt
7 cups of flour
(Notice that the recipe has no eggs. It's not a mistake. It really doesn't have any. I'm not messing with you by leaving out an ingredient like some relatives I have like to do).
Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Once it has proofed, add sugar and oil and salt and mix in the mixer. Add flour 2 cups at a time and mix all for about 6 minutes, until a dough has formed. At this point just stop the mixer, cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit someplace warm for 2-3 hours, until it has doubled in size. Shape challahs and let them sit out just until the oven has preheated to 350 degrees. Do the egg wash thing and you're good.
Bake for about 20 minutes and then check them because the whole thing really depends on what size challahs you make. I find that I can get 4 very nice size challahs from one recipe, but I have also made 8 smaller challahs from one recipe. Many times I double the recipe so that I can take challah with a bracha. One batch does not allow for this, although taking challah without a bracha is a good idea. But I am not a local orthodox rabbi and it's always a good idea to consult one about these kinds of things.
Oh, and here's the recipe for the turkey. I didn't play around with it, I followed all the directions so my commentary is not needed. Well, except for the fact that I did not sew the turkey as Martha suggests. Nor did I make stuffing. But we are having sweet potato kugel this Shabbos if that helps.
If it comes out pretty, there will be a picture here. If not, not.