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Jewish Purim Hamantaschen with Poppy Seed Filling Recipe

From: Field Guide to Herbs & Spices , by

A great sweet to bake even if you don’t celebrate Purim.

What to buy: Look for blue poppy seeds and mohn (ground poppy) in German, Russian, and central European markets or online at Kalustyan’s. Buy small quantities of poppy seeds, and only from stores with high turnover or from specialty spice purveyors.

INGREDIENTS

For the filling:

  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1/2 pound blue poppy seeds
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 cup coarsely ground walnuts
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

For the dough:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons orange juice
  • 4 teaspoons orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS
For the filling:

  1. Pour boiling water over blue poppy seeds to cover and soak overnight. Drain well. Grind finely using the finest blade of meat grinder, a special poppy seed grinder, or a coffee grinder.
  2. Cream butter and honey, then add heavy cream, walnuts, raisins, grated orange zest, and the ground poppy seeds. Chill before using.

For the dough:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, then beat in egg. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Stir half the flour mix into the creamed mixture. Beat in orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla, then beat in the remaining flour mixture. Chill the dough until firm.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough out slightly more than 1/4 inch thick. Reroll the dough scraps if desired. Cut into 3-inch rounds, dot each with a teaspoonful of poppy seed filling, and fold up the edges on three sides to form open triangles.
  3. Place on baking sheets and bake until delicately browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.

This recipe, while from a trusted source, may not have been tested by the CHOW food team.

    Write a review | 7 Reviews

  • Thanks all for the information - I did finally figure out how to print the entire recipe by copy and paste using the Ctr key and C and then the Ctr key and V - it has been invaluable since then.

  • Dear Monelle (who commented on 3/19/08) - I have a suggestion for Printing Out recipes...Simply highlight the text, then go to the "edit" box (usually in the upper left corner of your computer) and click "copy," then open a "new document" and click again to Paste it in your new document! You should be able to print it out easily! Esther2

  • I don't know, you must not have a compatible system, prints fine on mine. I have a Mac, you? :-)

    Can't wait to try this. I think I'll stick with the raisins, but will sub the cinnamon for the orange zest, not sure about the orange water tho...

  • This came out fabulous. Somehow, the vaguely rancid smell had gone away by the next day. I substituted dried apricots for raisins and flavored both the mohn mixture and the dough liberally with cinnamon instead of orange peel. Also added about two tablespoons of orange flower water to the dough. Am always wary of using orange peel in regions where I can't actually see the orange tree.
    The other thing is, I have a huge amount of mohn mixture left over. I am thinking of throwing it into the bottom of a pan and pouring a cheesecake mixture on top of it. I do love that Polish poppyseed-cheesecake I have had from Polish bakeries.
    These cookies are so good that if Purim came more than once a year, we'd all need new wardrobes!

  • I just figured out how to print out the recipe so it is all on the page. Go to File, Page Set-up and click on the box "shrink to fit page width". It worked and I have a readable copy.

    Amanita, I'd be interested in knowing whether you are able to cover the smell from the poppy seed.

    monelle

  • I have the same problem with the text. Was grateful to print out shopping list on left side - will now try the recipe, staying online to read the right margin. Am subbing dried apricots for raisins and adding cinnamon. Also, the advice about rancid poppyseeds is extremely pertinent. The date on mine is 2009, but they do not smell incredibly fresh. Am hoping honey and cinnamon will cover it up.

  • sounds good. wanted to print it out but the text does not come out complete. anyone have an answer as to how to get the complete text? will appreciate any help I can get. many thanks.

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