Westport, CT (PRWEB) February 22, 2006
If there is one Jewish holiday where creativity and “turning everything upside down” is not just acceptable, but expected, it is Purim. In due fashion, The Challah Connection of Westport, CT has launched its own gourmet rendition of the very traditional hamentashen cookie.
Hamentashen, the three-cornered cookie that symbolizes the hat of oppressor Haman from the original Purim story, is made with a traditional dough that is cut in circles and folded together with a dollop of filling; typically poppy seed, raspberry, apricot or prune.
Jane Moritz, Challah Connection Owner, has seen thousands of pounds of hamentashen consumed as part of the Purim baskets (michloach manot) that her company designs and ships. However, she saw an opportunity, “consumers are constantly looking for new versions of old things,” says Moritz.
And so with that, Jane has worked with 2 veteran recipe and cookbook writers to develop her own “spin” on hamentashen. “I was looking for something gourmet, decadent and outrageous. Something that would really make people appreciate a reinvention of this old world pastry.”
The results are 2 lovely creations; Sour Cherry drizzled with chocolate ganache and Lemon Poppy Seed. Both recipes begin with a pastry dough that uses unsalted butter (unlike most hamentashen that is pareve and uses no dairy at all), vanilla and orange juice to give it a bit of twang as well as other key ingredients. Both are certified kosher.
Working with Ms. Moritz on recipe development were Mary Goodbody and Judith Sutton, nationally acclaimed food writers, cookbook editors and recipe developers. Among some of the books they have written or edited are, Sweet Gratitude: Bake a Thank-You for the Really Important People in Your Life; Truffles: Ultimate Luxury, Everyday Pleasure; Recipes for a Very Small Island; and The Family Kitchen (coming Spring 2006).
The festival of Purim begins on the evening of March 13. It is tradition to give gifts of food on Purim, to signify love and friendship. For more information about the holiday and its traditions and to order hamentashen and Purim baskets, visit http://www.challahconnection.com or call toll free: 866-(CHALLAH) 242-5524.
ABOUT US
The Challah Connection, based in Westport, CT, is an online store for kosher gift baskets and kosher baked goods.
Jane Moritz
Westport Baking Company/The Challah Connection
Tel: 866-242-5524
http://www.challahconnection.com
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