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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes |
Ready In: 65 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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These sweet Sephardic pastry cookies are filled with a ground nut and spice mixture, and dipped in a honey syrup. They are similar in concept to the bureka or empanada. Ingredients:
5 cups sifted flour |
1 1/4 cups butter or 1 1/4 cups margarine |
1/2 cup water |
1 egg, beaten |
1/2 teaspoon baking soda |
1/2 cup sugar |
1/8 teaspoon salt |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
1 1/2 cups ground almonds |
1 1/2 cups ground walnuts |
1/4 cup raisins (optional) |
1 tablespoon orange juice |
1/2 cup sugar |
2 -4 tablespoons honey |
1 teaspoon cinnamon |
1/2 teaspoon clove |
1 pinch salt |
1 teaspoon vinegar (to taste, if you find the filling too sweet) (optional) |
1 dash red wine |
1 1/2 cups water |
1 cup sugar |
2 tablespoons honey |
1 -2 tablespoon lemon juice |
1 tablespoon rose water (optional) or 2 -3 drops rose extract (optional) |
Directions:
1. In a food processor, grind 1 cup each of the walnuts and almonds until fine, but not powdery. Add the remaining filling ingredients, grind coarsely.
2. Make the dough. Mix the butter/margarine with the sugar until creamy.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the vanilla extract and blend with the butter/sugar. Mix well.
4. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece approximately 1/8-1/4 thick. Using a cup or cookie cutter, cut into rounds approximately 3 in diameter. Gather the dough scraps and re-roll to make more rounds.
5. In the center of each round, place a spoonful of the filling.
6. Wet the edges of the dough with water, and fold in half, making a semicircle. Press the edges to seal. If the dough rips or cracks, gently press back together (it will stick back together while baking).
7. Carefully transfer to a greased baking sheet. They don't expand much while cooking, and can be spaced about 3/4 apart. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
8. Bake the travados for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Once cooked, set aside and allow them to cool *completely*, as they are brittle when hot.
9. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the syrup. In a small pot, heat the water, sugar and honey until boiling. Lower the heat and cook for another 10-15 minutes. It should be a thin, watery consistency, so don't overcook it. Add the lemon juice and/or rose water, stir.
10. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully lower each travado into the syrup and allow to sit for about 15-30 seconds. Place on a rack over paper towels to dry.
11. Toasted sesame seeds can be sprinkled on top while still sticky, if desired. Allow to cool. Travados can be refrigerated.
12. Enjoy!
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