Sunday, March 1, 2015

Hamantaschens





Hamantaschen  (watch this if you want to hear the correct pronunciation) cookies are delightful little bursts of flavor encased in a sweet buttery cookie crust to celebrate Purim.  Purim is a momentous celebration in the Jewish faith honoring Esther for foiling the nasty Haman's evil plot back in 473 B.C.


The annual Jewish Food festival is filled with scrumptious treats so I was looking forward to making these cookies.

The Baking Bible recipe offers a choice of poppy seed, apricot or prune filling.  I chose all three, halving each recipe.  It was quite soothing mixing up each batch.  The dough is mixed together in a food processor, kneaded a bit and chilled.

It is then rolled, cut in circles, rimmed with an egg wash, stuffed with filling and pinched into three corners, creating the traditional  Hamantaschen shape for a final brush with egg wash.  Luckily my clumsy shapes didn't affect the delicious cookies.


Don't they look like they are ready to party?
                                           

After a final quick chill off they went to the oven.  While still warm,  those with poppy seed filling are given a brush with apricot.preserves, which have been brought to the boil, strained and showered with lemon zest.  Trader Joe's organic apricot jam never tasted so good..



                          Time for tea and Hamantaschens. And maybe watch Nicky's Family again.  Truly an  inspiring story, very much like Esther's.
  

12 comments:

  1. Vicki, I watch my korean dramas on TV but sometimes I watch online on http://sensen.tv. English Sub. All the new shows are there already. I'm currently watching Hyde Jekyll and I. You should watch My Love from Star. That was my favourite show of the year last year and was a hit Asia-wide. Boys over Flowers, Pasta are older dramas.

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    1. I will try to see if I can access your online link. I have also watched loads of Korean movies. I like comedies, too, like My Girlfriend is an Agent.

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  2. Your Hamataschen looks wonderful with all that Jam. Which one did you like more? the poppyseed ones or just the jam alone?

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    1. All three! Poppy seed was mellower the next day. They all tasted great with a cup of milky tea.

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  3. Hi Vicki, I watch the video. What a mess she made wrapping the dough in plastic. Did you see how the flour got all over the plastic wrap and fell on the floor as she took it to the fridge? Gees. But her fillings look fantastic. Your pics are great and they looked very delicious in your final shot. Best to share one with Sally. She will be your forever faithful Toller (and shadow you in the kitchen)

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  4. Your cookies look like little stained glass pieces and they look really yummy!

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  5. Beautiful cookies Vicki. I'm impressed you made all three filling - well done!

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  6. very beautiful cookies, they did look like they having a party:-)

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  7. i love the apricot cookies! so pretty.milky tea would be a great accompaniment.

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  8. I made the apricot and prune lekvars. didn't try the poppy seed filling. which one was your favorite? If you get a chance, I'd love it if you stop by to see my post.

    Patricia @ ButterYum
    http://www.butteryum.org/roses-alpha-bakers/2015/2/11/tbb-hamantaschen-purim

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  9. Vicki, they are beautiful! I would have loved to make some with prune filling. Maybe next time! I enjoyed this recipe.

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