Wheat-free challah?

ssbarnes

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 1:31 pm

We have friends who have celiac? She and her children can not tolerate any wheat. We have them over for Pesach when the house is gluten-free except for Matzo, but we would like to have them for Shabbos. Does anyone have any idea how to make a gluten-free challah?

-Dena

Imhappy!

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 1:40 pm

I suggest you try your local health food store for gluten free bread.
I am currently eating Gluten free/wheat free bread company name is THE BAKERS it is sold in the metro new york area

MOM222

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 1:45 pm

Best would be to buy it.

mom3boys

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 2:37 pm

I use spelt flour and the regular challah recipe. Challah doesn't rise quite as high, but it's fine and most people don't even realize the difference.
Most health food stores carry spelt flour.

Smiles

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 3:10 pm

Spelt is not Gluten-Free. I have a very good gluten free "challah" recipe. It tastes great!

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup brown rice flour

3/4 cup white rice flour

1/4 cup potato starch

3 T almond meal
3 T xanthan gum
1 package red star quickrise yeast
1 t salt

3/4 t. dough enhancer (optional)

2 t. baking powder

1 cup warm water (120 degrees)
2 T dry potato flakes

1/4 cup oil

1/3 cup honey
3 eggs (extra large works best)

1 egg with water (optional, for glazing top of crust)

Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients in heavy duty mixer
2. Dissolve potato flakes in warm water, and add slowly to mixer
3. Add oil and honey
4. Add eggs and mix until blended
5. Beat on High speed for 5 minutes

6. Spoon batter into 9x5 inch greased loaf pan (I use Pam spray)(OR, divide equally into 8 english muffin tins, presprayed with PAM)

7. Smooth top surface of batter using WET hand
8. Let rise in warm place for about 45-60 minutes, covered

(I turn my oven on warm for 30-60 seconds, turn off, then use as warm place for rising)

9. Brush with egg wash, if desired (1 egg, add tablespoon water – mix)
10. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes (If using 8 mini challahs, bake for 25 minutes)

calories: 2735 per loaf. If cut into 22 thin slices, about 125 calories per slice

su7kids

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 3:15 pm

Is that a "hamotzi" bread? I don't see any of the main flours in there. I'm not sure of what the halacha is.

miriam

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 3:15 pm

Smiles, what does the challah taste like?

Smiles

Mon, Aug 28 2006, 3:20 pm

Gluten Free breads are never hamotzi unless it is made out of gluten free oat flour.

It's very hard to find a good tasting glue free bread especially challah. Compared to other recipes I have tried, I must admit that this recipe really tastes great.

mom3boys

Thu, Aug 31 2006, 11:51 am

Oops. Smiles, you are absolutely right. I didn't realize OP was looking for a gluten free recipe.

Smiles

Thu, Aug 31 2006, 3:38 pm

mom3boys, it could get a bit confusing. Smile

Normally a wheat free alternative would be spelt.

ssbarnes

Wed, Sep 06 2006, 6:03 am

Thanx Smiles. I will try that recipe.

The family that I want to make this for is not observant. The wife wants to be more observant, but her husband does not. She recently got her husband to understand why she wants to have a kosher home and they are now learning what they need to do. I am helping her teach her children as best I can, but how do you teach hamotzi to children who can not eat any of the main flours.

I purchased GFCF (Gluten Free Casein Free) matzo for Pesach so we could have them over ($30 per pound plus shipping) and they were all sick to their stomach from it, so oat flour is out.

Dena

withhumor

Tue, Sep 12 2006, 10:29 am

You can try the breads at the digestivewellness.com website.