Did someone say cHLoclate?
Nope! Sorry kid. This week its lemon and poppy seeds.
Poppy seeds are traditional in the purim Hamentashen Cookies. Take a look at Shoshana's beautiful hamentashen: http://www.couldntbeparve.com/2010/02/not-your-bubbes-hamentashen.html (even though she did not use poppy seeds.)
The word Hamantashen seems like it might be a play on the hebrew word מן "mon, (in english manna see- Numbers 11:7)" described by the classical Bible commentators as looking like poppy-seeds, and the "mon" part of the name of Haman (pronounced Hawmon in hebrew) the Wicked (whose decree to annihilate the Jews was nullified.)
For those who don't know, Purim is sort of like a Jewish version of Halloween. Kids get dressed up in costumes. However, the similarity ends there. The Purim imagery is one of of ancient Persian empire from about 2,500 years ago or so. Joy (drinking) and frivolity and giving gifts of food (not asking for them) as well as gifts of charity to the poor are the order of the day. One is obligated to drink until you no longer can tell the difference between "Wicked is Haman" and "Blessed is Mordechai." I have posted on a schedule since, while your reading this I am probably passed out drunk somewhere (in the obligatory manner) muttering to myself about the righteousness of Hamen the wicked...
Mis en place:
Make the egg mixture...
What a wonderful texture.
All ready to toast. Even though it says you need a 10 cup pan it all fit in this loaf pan. The loaf pan is the hardest one to toast since you need to move it up or down in the middle, depending on what is about to burn as well as cover it with tinfoil that does not really want to stay on...
The batter sort of oozed out the sides. It still tasted great. In fact, I liked this one better than the one in the cake bible I found it lighter and more delicate. The lemon and butter flavors are not overpowering. I do have to admit though that I left out 1/4 stick of the butter as I felt that 1 3/4 sticks was just a bit too much for me...
This sounds delicious, I absolutely love poppy seed anything. Thanks for the shout out, I did make poppy seed hamentashen for us as well, but didn't have a chance to post about them. I hope you and the family all had a wonderful Purim.
ReplyDeleteI promise that a piece of this will make that hang-over (waiting to happen) go away :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post (as always) and that kid is adorable, I want to eat her up! (in the good way).
Hahahhhhahaahaha!!!!
ReplyDeleteHilarious! I love that you *have* to be drunk... You must be on count down for this holiday every year!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and superb looking cake. I agree, it is better than the TCB version. Can't. Stop. Eating. It.
Great Post! Mendy i love reading all the Jewish tradition and related Biblical quotes. Lovely cake too! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at what you turn out of that toaster oven - another wonderful job!
ReplyDelete:)
ButterYum
PS - I hope your little chocoholic will be happy with next week's cake.
We loved this cake too! Mine almost went out of the pan, too, but not quite...
ReplyDeleteI love learning more about the Jewish holidays. Growing up in New Jersey, I picked up a little bit by osmosis from my Jewish classmates, but not a whole lot. Reading your posts really gives me nostalgia for living on the East Coast (a rare thing, actually, since I mostly love Wisconsin).
Your kids are so darling! Hope she wasn't too disappointed at the lack of chocolate this week!
ב''ה
ReplyDeleteShoshana: Thanks! I hope you and yours also had a great Purim! :)
Monica: Yes, works wonders for a hang over... :)
Vicki: glad you got a laugh...
Nicola: I am now getting ready for Passover when one is obligated to drink 4 cups of (preferably) strong dry red wine two nights in a row. There is an obligatory time limit too how quickly you must down each one. By the end of the fourth cup Elijah the prophet himself comes down and drinks the fifth...
Faithy: Thanks! I'll have to try too make those lovely macarons sometime.
ButterYum:Getting a complement from a baker of your caliber always makes you feel good. Chavi does not know what is going to hit her! She loves apricots too... :)
Barbara:Glad I bring you some nostalgia. :)