Ukrainian Baba Marys Halvah Cookies Recipes

UKRAINIAN COUNTRY BABKA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons sugar, 1/2 cup water, yeast, milk and 1 cup flour. Mix until well blended, then cover and allow to rise in a warm place until light and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, salt and 1 cup white sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the melted butter and lemon zest. Stir in the sponge, then gradually mix in the flour. Knead in the bowl for about 10 minutes, then knead in the raisins. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.
• Punch down dough and knead for a couple of turns then let it rise again. Grease 4 smaller coffee cans with soft butter. Fill the prepared pans about 1/3 full and let rise until the dough is even with the rim. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, then turn down the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking the bread for another 40 minutes. Avoid letting the top get too brown, if it begins to brown too quickly, cover the top with aluminum foil. Remove baked loaves from the pans and cool on a wire rack.

UKRAINIAN BABA MARY'S HALVAH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix eggs and oil.
• Incorporate halvah using a hand mixer.
• Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and flour to make a workable dough.
• Add extra flour if necessary.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Oil hands, roll spoon sized pieces of dough into small balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cool completely before eating, at least 30 minutes.
• Makes 3 dozen.
• The Great Canadian Feast.

CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE CHIP HALVA COOKIES

Steps:

• Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and fine salt in a medium bowl.
• Add the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until just combined; add the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 2 batches, mixing until everything is incorporated before adding the next batch. Add the chocolate chips and beat until combined. Turn off the mixer and add the halva. Gently beat on "stir" until just combined and the dough looks a bit crumbled and swirled (this will take only 5 to 6 turns on the mixer); do not overmix or it will lose the swirl effect.
• Drop about 2 tablespoons dough per cookie (a 2-ounce ice-cream scoop works nicely here) onto 2 baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 1 inch apart (you should have 12 cookies per sheet). Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with the sesame seeds and sea salt.
• Bake until the cookies are set on the bottom and top, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

UKRAINIAN BABA'S PORK ROAST

Steps:

• Pat meat dry with a paper towel and rub with 2 tablespoons flour and salt. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown meat on all sides. Add the sliced onions, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for about one hour, adding a little water if necessary. Turn meat twice during the roasting process.
• Place beets in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until beets are tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Chop beets into cubes and add to the roasting pan. Add prunes and beet water, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove roast to a platter. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with sour cream. Pour into roasting pan and mix well, scraping the sides and bottom. Simmer until sauce thickens. Season with paprika and taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.