RFCJ RECIPE ARCHIVE
Posted by : Karen Selwyn Cake: Lemon-Poppy Seed - dairy
There are several food traditions associated with Purim. One is that foods should have fillings to evoke the intrigues, secrets, and surprises associated with the Purim story. Also, foods should be sweet, the traditional way of wishing for a sweet future. Finally, there is an emphasis on vegetarian or pareve foods to remind people that Queen Esther never broke the dietary laws while married to King Ahasuerus of Persia. Seeds, in particular, are an important ingredient because they evoke the seeds on which Esther subsisted during her three-day fast while she prayed the decree against the Jews in Persia would be repealed. This cake recipe from Czechoslovakia is appropriate for Purim using several of the criteria. Karen Selwyn * * * * * * Lemon-Poppy Seed Cake 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2/8 cup granulated sugar 4 egg yolks 1 1/4 cups cake flour (see note) 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup poppy seeds 1/3 cup milk 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract Confectioners' sugar Cream butter in mixing bowl. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks in separate bowl until light and lemon colored; blend yolks thoroughly into butter mixture. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add poppy seeds. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, blending well. Beat in lemon peel, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon extract. Pour batter into well-buttered, lightly floured 4 1/2" X 8 1/2" loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 40 minutes, or until loaf pulls away from sides of pan and tester comes out clean. Let cool on rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving. Yield: 6 to 8 servings. Note: Although you will not get the same result, you can substitute 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour for each 1 cup cake flour. Source: "Foods From Eastern Europe Add Variety to Purim Menus" Judy Zeidler ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH (on-line editon), 3/5/90
