Apricot And Poppy Seed Jam Recipes

APRICOT AND POPPY SEED JAM

Steps:

• After pitting the apricots measure the fruit to make 900 g fruit for jam.
• Cut the apicots into small to very small pieces.
• Mix apricots and sugar in a suited pot and let stand for about 1 hour.
• Bring apricot mixture to a boil over medium high heat stirring frequently. Cook for 4 minutes strirring all the time.
• Remove from heat and add lime juice and poppy seeds. Mix.
• Fill into twist off preserving jars and close jars. Let stand for 1 minute and then turn up side down. Let stand for 10 minutes and turn over again. Let cool completely.
• NOTE on "Dr. Oetker's Super Gelling Sugar 3:1". Dr. Oetker is a well known brand in Germany. There are several gelling sugars available. The "3:1" super gelling sugar already contains pectin and you only need 1/3 of sugar. If you can't get it, you could also use Dr. Oetker's 2:1 super gelling sugar (then use 450 g sugar). Follow the instructions on the package.

PACZKI - FAMOUS POLISH DONUTS

Steps:

• 1. Melt you 1/2 cup of butter and let cool to room temp. Warm milk and cream. Beat the whole eggs, yolks and sugar together then add butter and beat thoroughly. Next, add orange zest, salt, cream, milk, yeast, spiced rum and mix well. * THE DOUGH WILL BE SOFT AND STICKY. IT SHOULD ROLL OUT VERY EASILY AND SMOOTHLY.
• 2. Let the dough rise till double in bulk (at least an hour or longer), punch it down and let it double in bulk again. Here is Chef Tad punching down the dough.
• 3. After second rising, punch the dough down again and divide dough. Dust your board liberally with flour and roll out your dough to about 1/2 inch thick.
• 4. Cut into rounds with at least a 3 inch cutter & fry in hot oil. (If you have no cutter then you could use a thoroughly washed tuna can as your cutter.) HEAT YOUR OIL BETWEEN 325 TO 350 DEGREES. --- This is my good friend Kaycee who joined me for the class.
• 5. Depending on the size of your fryer only put a few in at a time. This size that we used in the photo we dropped about 5 to 6 rounds in at a time. Let them start to puff up in the middle and you can see them brown on the one side then turn them over to finish browning the other side. Take them out and let them drain on a paper towel. This happens very quickly within a minute or two.
• 6. After they have cooled you can fill them with your favorite filling or leave plain and dust with powdered sugar or plain sugar. --THESE DONUTS WHEN THEY PUFF UP ARE HOLLOW INSIDE. SO, IT MAKES THEM PERFECT FOR FILLING.
• 7. Here we are filling and dusting the paczki! VERY TRADITIONAL FILLINGS FOR PACZKI - Apricot Poppyseed Black Raspberry Lekvar - (sweetened prune puree) Rose Cherry and more non-traditional flavors too.
• 8. Put the coffee on...fill up some glasses with cold milk and let's eat some Paczki!
• 9. FOR FUN: Our male Schnoodle is named after the famous Paczki. It wasn't until I met my husband Anthony that I heard about the famous Paczki. Not only is his heritage Polish/Italian but he used to be a police officer and has had his share of Paczki. Every year, there is a box of Paczki's that arrive mysteriously in our kitchen! But now, I know how to make them so we can have some homemade. If Paczki the Schnoodle was allowed to eat these famous Paczki he for sure would win. He would probably eat all of them and then be sick but I can assure you every last Paczki would be gone. Do you see his focus on the donut? LOL --- I think he was thinking are they mine? All mine?!
• 10. I stopped over at Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery here in my hometown and saw these lovely towels and just "HAD" to get one. It only seemed right don't you think? lol

POPPY SEED AND APRICOT BABKA

Steps:

• Finely grind the poppy seeds for filling using a coffee grinder.
• Toast the almonds in a non-greased frying pan over medium-low heat until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Let cool, about 5 minutes. Reserve about 1 dozen for the topping and finely grind the rest in a food processor.
• Combine ground poppy seeds, ground almonds, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring often. Cook until it starts to thicken, about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in apricots and cardamom and let cool, then refrigerate until using.
• Whisk cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla together in a bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until using.
• Make the yeast dough: Heat milk and and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and let cool to lukewarm, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in yeast and let stand until it becomes frothy, about 5 minutes.
• Combine flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add egg, sugar, vanilla, and yeast mixture. Knead for 4 to 5 minutes on low speed, until the dough is elastic and detaches from the bowl.
• Drizzle with a little vegetable oil and turn the dough over so it is lightly oiled all around. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and a large plate and let rise in a warm place for 60 to 90 minutes.
• Punch down the dough and roll it out on a silicone baking mat to a square about 1/4 inch thick. Evenly spread with cream cheese mixture and leave 2 inches free at the far end. Spread with an even layer of the poppy seed filling. Roll it up tightly using the baking mat, and fold in the two sides as you go. Pinch the seems together with your fingertips to seal. Place the roll on a large plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm it up.
• Place the roll on a large cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise with a sharp, large knife, dipping it in warm water a few times so the filling won't stick.
• Gently separate the roll into two strands. With the cut sides inwards, twist the two strands around each other. Seal the ends by pinching with your fingertips. Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment. Place the babka in the pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until visibly risen, 60 to 75 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coarsely chop the remaining almonds. Cut apricots into thick strips.
• Brush the dough parts with heavy cream. Place the apricot strips along the seams and sprinkle the dough parts with almonds and poppy seeds.
• Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven until nicely browned, 40 to 50 minutes. If the top browns before the time is up, cover it with a large sheet of parchment paper. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Gently unmold onto a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting.