[mod.recipes] Cleartext copy of "Charoset "

tovah@cepu.uucp (Tovah Hollander) (04/09/87)

CHAROSET(S)              USENET Cookbook              CHAROSET(S)

CHAROSET

     CHAROSET - Traditional Seder accompaniment

     This paste-like, sweet spread is a prescribed part of the
     traditional Seder.  Its mortar-like consistency is intended
     to remind Jews of the bricks and mortar our ancestors
     labored with as slaves in Egypt. Quite incidentally, it is
     delicious and tastes wonderful spread on matzah. This is the
     traditional charoset from the Ashkenazic (Eastern European)
     Jewish tradition; very different, but equally delicious,
     charoset recipes, using such ingredients as dates, raisins,
     and sesame, can be found in the various Sephardic communi-
     ties (e.g., Yemenite, Persian, Turkish, Moroccan, etc.).

INGREDIENTS (2 cups)
     1 1/2 cups
               finely chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, fil-
               berts)
     2 Tbsp    sugar or honey (or a mixture)
     1-2 cups  chopped or grated apples (about 4-6 medium apples)
     1/2 tsp   cinnamon
               sweet wine

PROCEDURE
          (1)  Mix nuts, sugar, honey, apples and cinnamon
               together until well-blended.

          (2)  Add wine slowly until the texture resembles a
               thick paste, like mortar.

          (3)  Taste and adjust cinnamon, sugar, wine amounts.

NOTES
     This recipe yields about enough for the Seder table.  If you
     like this as much as we do, you will want to make more.

     Some people prefer a chunkier, less smoothly-blended
     charoset.

     If you live in an area where Kosher for Passover ground nuts
     (not groundnuts) are available, they save a lot of chopping
     time and lead to a smoother consistency.  If you're lucky
     enough to have a Kosher for Passover food processor, you
     will also save a lot of arm exercise.  And remember, kids
     love to chop!

RATING
     Difficulty: easy.  Time: 20 minutes to several hours,
     depending on how much hand-chopping you have to do.  Preci-
     sion: no need to measure.

CONTRIBUTOR
     Tovah Hollander
     UCLA Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Los Angeles, California USA
     {ihnp4!sdcrdcf,seismo!hao}!cepu!tovelt