PHYLLIS' COOKIES: HAMANTASHEN FOR PURIM OR ANY TIME

Hamantaschen

More Hamantaschen

(adapted from NY Times and 2nd Avenue Deli Cookbook)

Here is the recipe. I will be making some before March 7th.

Taking orders in advance: $24 per pound, plus shipping. Scroll to the bottom of this posting for more specific instructions for ordering.

Almond Dough

3 cups flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2teaspoon salt

1 cup pulverized almonds (Trader Joe's Ground Almonds)

Mix the above together.

1 cup or less of sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

Beaten together, then add

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

Add dry to wet. Mix until it forms a ball then take out and knead.

Egg glaze:

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Divide the dough into four sections. No, you don't have to refrigerate it first. Roll each section to about 1/4-inch thick. Cut into 4 inch diameter rounds. Put about a teaspoon of filling in the center. Moisten the edge of the circle with a bit of water so that the dough holds togethere. Fold two sides together and pinch. Fold up bottom but leave an opening in the center so you can see the filling. Brush with egg glaze. Sprinkle with sugar.

Do the same to the rest of the dough and re-roll the scraps. Place on a greased or parchment covered sheetpan. Bake 20 minutes at 350 F. until golden. Cool. Serve with some powdered sugar sprinkled on top, if you like.

POPPY SEED FILLING

The Filling:

3/4 cup poppy seeds

3 tablespoons honey

¼ cup brown sugar

grated zest of ½ orange

2/3 cup raisins

juice of ½ lemon

2 teaspoons lemon zest

½ tablespoon brandy

½ tablespoon cointreau or other orange liqueur

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Soak the poppy seeds in boiling water then drain. Process with honey, brown sugar, raisins, juices, zests, liqueurs, vanilla extract. If you are not thrilled with how ground up the poppy seeds are then put the entire mixture into a large mortar and grind away with a pestle until you love what the mush has become. Then put it into a saucepan and cooked it until all the ingredients are melded together.