Baking Babka

Chocolate, lots of chocolate.

1 lb into chopping ghana 65% chocolate I wondered what I'd gotten myself into.

I'd been eyeing this babka recipe for years but had never gotten around to making it. It's rich (5 sticks of butter!). It's expensive (really good chocolate). It's daunting for a lot of reasons.

Well, this week I finally got it together to make it.

I chopped.

I blended with butter (and cinnamon).

I kneaded. I spread. I rolled.

I twisted (and shouted!).

I made....babka!

Neither Alex nor I have had babka before so we don't have much to compare it to. However, we've got a friend whose grandmother made it on a regular basis and he said it was a bit dry (I overbaked it) but other than that, spot on! 

Til next time, babka.

Monday night dinner

In the past, finals week for Alex and I has meant living off of cereal and not leaving the house for days.

Now that only one of us is suffering, the other is free to roam.  The one writing papers benefits.

Hanger steak, french fries, fried purple fingerling and dijon-roasted brussel sprouts.

 No meal is complete without dessert.

White chocolate pudding and raspberries.