Food Porn: Chocolate & Apricot Challah

I never had much of a sweet tooth (give me schug for dessert over chocolate anytime...), and this may not even halichaly qualify as "bread," but rather fall into the "cake" category for blessings - especially for S'faradim who are pretty strict about it, but - don't it look good?

So, if you can't eat it at the beginning of the meal, have it at the end...

Ingredients: Makes 2 Loaves

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling loaves
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for the bowl and baking sheets
• 2 tablespoons of honey (When measuring the honey use the same spoon you used for the oil. The oil will coat the spoon, allowing the honey to slide right off.)
• 3 large eggs (one of these is for the wash)
• 4 ounces 62% semisweet chocolate, chopped into chip-size chunks
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup diced dry apricots, depending on tastes (optional)

Read on for the calorific rest.

NPR's Hannukah menorah contest - Mel Gibson gets waxed

So, is this, like, sacreligious - or what?!

Mel Gibson Mel-norah. This menorah works on two levels: It symbolizes a willingness to accept Gibson's apology for his anti-Semitic rant but also, for skeptics, offers the chance to watch hot wax drip down his punim (the Yiddish word for face). Materials: Mel Gibson cutouts and menorah.

More here.