Bread & Stories & all that Jazz: including an invitation and a recipe

When we were growing up, my sister used to play Christmas carols on the piano for our extended family; she was the only one who knew how. Somewhere there's a photograph of her wearing earmuffs because the rest of us sang so badly that if she listened to us, we threw her off key.

In spite of a limited musical background and zero musical talent, when I came across quantum physicists describing the interconnectedness of the universe in terms of music -- particularly jazz -- it made perfect sense. As Margaret Wheatley writes, "We listen carefully, we communicate constantly, and suddenly there is music...the music comes from somewhere else, from a unified whole...." (right, that would be God). There's also the improvisational nature of jazz, the way each musician influences and inspires the others. I like that image.

But what I like even better are the quantum metaphors that use weaving and braiding to explain the interconnectedness of everything. (Remember Jesus saying that what we do for the least among us, we do for him.)  Physicists say that every time -- every time! -- we make a decision, take action, even have an intention, we are actually tugging at the web of reality and relationships that make up the universe.

These weaving metaphors are why, I realize, I take such delight in gathering disparate ingredients for the Green Goblin stories: I get to take those individual threads and weave them into a single story. The story connects all those who  offer ideas, and all those who read the story. The story becomes a small quantum tug on the fabric of the universe.

It's also, I suspect, why my favorite bread recipe is challah, the Jewish braided bread that is served especially on the Sabbath. My favorite recipe takes seven separate strands to create a single loaf. (I think here of 1 Corinthians 10:17: "We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.")

So here is my invitation: ask your children to think up something they would like in next week's Goblin-to-Go story, and send it either in the comment box below, or via Facebook (for those of you connected there....).  Here's a picture of the goblin's tree in case they want to know where he lives:

And here is my favorite recipe for braided bread:

1 1/4 c. warm water
2-3 T yeast (or 3 packages)
3 T sugar
3 T honey
1/3 c. olive oil
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
5 1/2 - 6 c. flour
1 T salt
and for the egg wash: 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 T milk
optional: sesame seeds or poppy seeds to sprinkle on top

In a large bowl, mix water, yeast, sugar, and honey. Let stand until yeast bubbles. Stir in olive oil and eggs. Gradually stir in 5 cups of flour plus the salt. Turn onto a floured board and have the children help knead in the remaining flour as needed until the dough is not sticky any more, but smooth. (Try not to get it too stiff, but keep it pliable.)

Put the dough into a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in bulk, which can be anywhere from 35-50 minutes, depending on warmth.

Invite the children to punch the dough down and knead it a couple of times. Pull out a ball of dough about the size of small grapefruit and set aside. Divide the remaining dough into four parts and have the children roll each one into a strand about 20 inches long.

Put the four strands side by side lengthwise on a well-greased baking sheet and pinch together at one end. I always find this part a little complicated, but depending on the ages of your children, they could probably manage just fine: with the strands facing you (or whoever is doing the braiding), take the strand on your left and place it over the second strand, under the third, and over the fourth. Repeat, starting with the second strand on your left. Continue with the third and fourth strands, until the braid is complete. Pinch the ends together.

Now take the smaller piece of dough and divide it into three parts. Have the children roll these out into three 10-inch strands. Lay them side by side, pinch one end together, and have the children make a classic three-part braid. Pinch together and place on top of the large braid.

Cover and let rise in a warm place till doubled. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After the bread has risen, mix together the egg yolk and milk and gently brush it over the risen bread dough, top and sides and everything. If you like, you can then sprinkle poppy seeds or sesame seeds over the top, although when my children were little they liked it best without seeds.

                             Bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm, or cool or a wire rack.

This bread is best broken apart by hand as everyone pulls off what they want, though it can be sliced once it's cool. With butter, this bread is one of my  favorite things to eat in the whole world.

The traditional Jewish blessing over the bread is: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."

Consider reading next week's Goblin-to-Go story while eating braided bread (with butter) and listening to jazz....