For Jake who is not feeling to well.

Chicken Soup and Matzo Balls
Penny Style

1 whole chicken (organic please) cut into 8-10 pieces
Garlic to taste
1 onion, roughly chopped
3-4 carrots, roughly chopped
2-3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
Pinch of whole peppercorns
Water to cover

Place everything in a soup pot. Bring to a boil, skimming scum as needed. Cover and simmer for 3-4 hours. Cool before straining out vegetables and chicken. Store clear chicken stock in a container with an airtight lid. Place in fridge over night. Pull chicken off the bones and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Next day, skim the fat off the clear stock and place in a soup pot. Add 2 carrots and 2 celery stalks diced finely. Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes. Add chicken and cook just until hot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley. Add Matzo Balls if desired.

Matzo Balls
Makes about 12

4 tablespoons canola oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup Matzo Meal
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoon club soda
3 tablespoons scallion, diced finely
1 tablespoon parsley, diced finely

Blend all the ingredients together. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, turn to simmer. With a small scoop place one ball at a time into water. Cover with lid and do not peak until the timer goes off after 20 minutes. Add to soup.

Brooks' Birthday Babka

Bubbies Babka
by Penny Rich
1 large, 2 medium, or 3 loaf pans loafs

Every July Bubbies Babka becomes Brooks' Birthday Babka or as she calls it "Chocolate Bread" Happy Birthday Brooks.

1 1/2 cups water, warm
2 tablespoon yeast
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon each almond and lemon extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk powder
1 cup butter, room temperature
6 cups all purpose flour

Before the rise......

after the rise.
Filling
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter

Time for the whizzing to begin.

Roll out the dough.

Then spread the chocolate mixture on and roll up.

2nd rise

Egg Wash – 1 egg, 1 tablespoon water

Mix water, yeast, and sugar together in a bowl of a stand mixer. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Begin mixing in the rest of the ingredients through the butter, slowly. Add 1 cup of flour at a time until the dough forms a smooth mass. Turn mixer off and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Mix again for 5 minutes and remove to an oiled bowl. Cover and allow dough to rise for 1 hour. Make the filling by whizzing all the ingredients in a food processor until it forms a loose paste. Hand knead the dough and form one two or three rectangles. Cover with chocolate paste and roll into log shape sealing the sides and end. Place on a baking sheet or loaf pans and cover with a damp towel. Allow to rise for 30 minutes. Before baking top with egg wash. Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes for a medium loaf, 60 minutes for a large loaf. Cool before slicing.