I love to bake homemade healthy breads. It does take a bit of practice and a good recipe at first, and many of my first efforts ended up going to the chickens! I never tried mixes because I wanted to give my family better quality food and didn't trust what the mix companies were putting into their breads.
But then I came across Voilà! Hallah traditional Hallah Bread Mix from Tribes A Dozen! I have never made Hallah bread, although I have made egg enriched breads before. After reading about how the creator Leah Hadad created her Hallah Mixes I was intrigued.
Here is her story!
When I realized that the people I loved wanted more of this experience, I had my a-ha! moment — or what I call, Voilà! Hallah. I wanted to make it easy for families and individuals of all faiths, cultures, and origins to make and enjoy traditional egg bread together — to connect us to our past, connect with each other, and connect our children to their future with their own families.
I love this! I know first hand how comforting it is for my family to come in the house and smell freshly baking bread, and seeing it on the table. Baking to me is very therapeutic and I find it richly satisfying to know I am providing healthy food for my family!I received all three of the Voilà! Hallah mixes. The Hallah Traditional Egg Bread Mix, Hallah Wholey Wheat Egg Bread Mix, and Voilà! Hallah Simply Spelt Egg Bread Mix.
I was a little unsure because this is my first time ever using a yeast bread mix, but the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. I tried the Hallah Wholey Wheat Egg Bread Mix first. Sadly because I figured my kids wouldn't like it (they still don't like whole wheat bread!) so if I messed it up it wouldn't really matter!
after the kneading, ready to rise
After first rise and divided into three balls
Dough balls rolled into long strips
My first effort on braiding, don't judge me!
The finished loaf, and boy did it smell heavenly!
I served this at dinner and didn't tell my children that it was whole wheat. To my shock and excitement they loved it! They even asked for seconds and were disappointed when we ran out! The bread was light with a slightly chewy texture like French bread. It had a nice sweetness and nuttiness from the whole wheat. It was super easy to make and even a complete novice could do it no problem.
This was a great experience and even children can get into it! While eating it we talked about the Jewish faith and Jews in general since it is a traditional food for them. We are Christians so we feel very close to the Jewish people as they are the Chosen People of God. My children asked many good questions, my 5 year old asked if Jesus ate this bread since he was Jewish.
The Thrifty Housewife gives Tribes A Dozen Hallah Bread Mix's a 10! They are easy to prepare, healthy, fun, and inexpensive. I think they would make a great gift to someone for things like holidays and housewarmings, or just a care package. I really want to send my sister one!
Connect with Tribes A Dozen
The Giveaway!
Tribes A Dozen has very generously offered to give on lucky Thrifty Housewife reader all three of their great mixes! Use the rafflecopter to enter, all entries are optional, all winning entries will be verified to be sure they were completed. Open to US only, previous winners of Voila Hallah Bread mixes ineligible. Good Luck!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33ddb974/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Thrifty Housewife was not compensated for this post, I did receive a sample product(s) for the purposes of review. This did not influence my review or my opinions. My views are 100% my own. This post may contain affiliate links. This giveaway is not affiliated with facebook, pinterest, twitter, or any other social media website. The winner will be chosen through the rafflecopter form which uses Random.org. Winner will be notified by email within 48 hours of contest end. Winner has 24 hours to respond to the email. Failure to respond will result in a new winner being chosen. Open to US only. All winning Entries are verified.
I just started baking bread again. Used to do it every week. This sounds like a wonderful way to bake bread! Everything all together and ready to go!
ReplyDeleteErin Sorgard
ReplyDeleteDidn't know spelt had 30% more protein then wheat. Looking forward to trying these mixes.
I wouldn't have thought to use this bread as a base for bread pudding but that sounds divinely delicious!
ReplyDeleteI learned that Hallah is also known as egg bread.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of testing bread with a toothpick.
ReplyDeleteLearned they are all natural.
ReplyDeleteI learned that according to the website, it is only sold at Wal-mart in my area. I do not shop at Wal-mart...EVER. So, I will hafta look around and see if I can find it at one of the local shops!
ReplyDeleteI like that they are committed to sustainable production practices that include use of renewable wind and solar energy and a recycling process able to reduce, reuse, and recycle 90% of all production.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize spelt was high in protein! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI found it is an excellent source of good proteins.
ReplyDeletehallah is another name for egg bread
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you could help your bread rise faster in the microwave. I don't know if I would use it for that but, if I had company coming and my bread didn't want to rise, it might be handy.
ReplyDeleteAt Tribes-A-Dozen, we believe that baking bread is more than just an ancient art
ReplyDeleteI love that spelt has more protein that wheat and I love the pumpkin babka
ReplyDeleteI learned that they feel baking bread is a powerful way to connect to our heritage. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI liked their comment. "Good enough to satisfy the gourmet’s discerning palate, foolproof enough to delight the baking novice."
ReplyDeleteI learned that Tribes-A-Dozen offers a diverse line of high quality, natural bread mixes.
ReplyDeleteLearned that they are all made with all natural ingredients.
ReplyDeleteI learned that it is certified women's business
ReplyDeleteThey are kosher and you can bake the bread quickly.
ReplyDeleteI love that everything is kosher and that it is so much quicker to make because of the mix - extremely handy when nap time is often the only time available.
ReplyDeleteDiane Macauley - me_juliet AT hotmail DOT com
They offer great tips on the website.
ReplyDeleteI love that organic ingredients are used!!
ReplyDeleteI learned that hallah is also referred to as barches, brioche, kalács, osterbrot, or twisted bread.
ReplyDeleteI learned that all of the products are produced in a facility that supports sustainable practices.
ReplyDeleteI learned that they were all-natural and Kosher
ReplyDeleteI learned that they offer a spelt mix.
ReplyDeleteThat their product is kosher.
ReplyDeleteI learned that their product is environmentally friendly as well.
ReplyDeleteI learned spelt is high in protein!
ReplyDeleteI learned that you can order them through Amazon as well as in select stores.
ReplyDeleteIt is an all natural Kosher line.
ReplyDeleteI learned that they believe in the healing power of baking bread.
ReplyDeleteThey are high in protein
ReplyDeleteYum! We love Challah. I've never tried a mix before, I have only ever seen them frozen in the store!
ReplyDeleteThey sell these mixes in stores, but unfortunately not around me.
ReplyDeleteOne of their tips is to Place the dough or the shaped loaf in a cold microwave..never tried that before
ReplyDeleteI learned testing bread with a toothpick.
ReplyDeletethey used all natural organic ingredients
ReplyDeleteToothpick testing the bread
ReplyDeletei like that its all natural
ReplyDeleteThat they sell at Wal Mart!!!! Crystal Levin
ReplyDeleteMixes can be found at Walmarts in OK, KS, and AR. Unfortunately, I live in IL. :(
ReplyDeleteSpelt’s low glycemic index — a slower breakdown of its carbohydrates — makes it suitable for people with diabetes.
ReplyDeletekimberlybreid at hotmail dot com