Joans Chremslach Recipes

Steps:

• Whisk the sugar, yeast and 1 cup of the warm water in a medium bowl. Set aside to bloom.
• Add the flour to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Make a well in the center of the flour and bury the salt in the well. Add the canola oil, whole egg, remaining 1 1/3 cups warm water and the bloomed yeast, making sure no sediment is left behind. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, increase to medium speed for 30 seconds and then increase to high speed for 3 minutes, mixing until the dough appears smooth.
• Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray and transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm area to proof until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Split the dough into 3 loaves. Divide each loaf into the desired number of braid strands (3, 4 or 6) and roll each strand to elongate. Braid the strands to a long loaf or a round shape and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the egg yolk with a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar. Brush this egg wash over the shaped loaves and top with 1 tablespoon zaatar per loaf, if using. Let the loaves rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake until lightly golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• To freeze, cool completely before transferring to a ziptop bag.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the matzo, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzo meal, salt, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice. Mix lightly and set aside.
• Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, mix egg whites just until stiff peaks form; do not overbeat. Fold into the matzo mixture. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Set aside a plate lined with paper towels. Fill a wok or sauté pan with 2 inches vegetable oil. Place over medium-high heat and bring to 375 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Working in batches, carefully spoon the batter, one heaping tablespoon at a time, into the hot oil, without crowding the pan. Fry until golden and crisp, 30 seconds to 1 minute a side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Serve warm, if possible, sprinkled with the granulated sugar or confectioners' sugar. If desired, chremsel may be reheated in a 350-degree oven just before serving.

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the matzahs, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzah meal, sugar, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
• 2. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold into the matzah mixture, adding matzah meal to make the mixture hold together.
• 3. Using an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees. Drop the mixture by tablespoons and brown a few minutes on each side until they are crisp. Cook only about three at a time. Drain well on paper. Serve at room temperature or crisped up in the oven. The fritters are especially delicious with stewed prunes with orange juice as an accompaniment, if desired.
• Note: You can make these in the morning, drain on paper, leave out all day, and crisp in the oven just before serving.

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine matzos, currants, almonds, apricots, egg yolks, matzo meal, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold beaten egg whites into the matzo mixture.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees in a low-sided medium stockpot over medium-high heat. Carefully spoon batter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into hot oil without crowding pan. Fry until golden and crisp, about 1 minute on each side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to prepared baking sheet to drain well. Serve at room temperature, or reheat in oven just before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water until just tender. Drain well. Add butter, milk, ricotta, cream cheese, Monterey jack, and 12 ounces of the Gouda to the warm pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix everything together, leaving some chunks of cheese visible. Pour the mixture into 9 by 11-inch baking pan. Top with the remaining 8 ounces of gouda. Bake until beautifully golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot or room temperature.

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, cream cheese, milk, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. (The original recipe called for cottage cheese, but I only had cream cheese and I loved the result anyways.).
• Stir in matzo meal and mix well. You should have the consistency of pancake or latkes batter. Add milk to thin or add matzo meal to thicken.
• Heat a thin layer of butter or oil in a skillet on medium. (Careful, I learned the hard way that butter can burn easily if it gets too hot.) Drop spoonfuls of batter into the skillet and fry, flipping each chremsel when it browns on one side.
• Should make about 14 medium sized chremslach, which can feed 2 adults if it is the centerpiece of your meal. (Though if hungry, I could polish off most of the plate by myself.) For a nice touch, you can dust them with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup.