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Mary Kay Radnich
Almond Bracelets
Kahk bi Loz
June is the month for weddings here in the US and if you are
asked to make cookies for one of the many parties associated with
wedding preparations, then try Almond Bracelets if you want to
serve something a little out of the ordinary.
Almond Bracelets are a favorite at engagement and wedding
parties in the Middle East, as well as during the traditional
ritual bath of the bride. This custom is still common in rural
areas, where the female relatives assess the bride’s potential
to be a good wife and bear children easily. The bride-to-be
listens to this commentary (hopefully positive) while she bathes
in scented water and while trays laden with sweets are
passed around for everyone to enjoy.
- 5 cups of almonds, ground
- 2 ½ cups of confectioner’s sugar
- Mix almonds and sugar together.
- White of 1 small egg, stiffly beaten, added to the
almond/sugar mix.
Add just enough orange blossom water to make a firm, dryish
paste.
Knead the paste well and roll into thin sausages about 5 inches
long. Bring the ends together forming bracelets the size of a
small napkin ring. Decorate with a few blanched almonds if
desired. On a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment, arrange
the bracelets.
Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes. DO NOT allow the
bracelets to color or brown, otherwise the taste will change.
Remove carefully from the sheet once they have cooled.
Source: The New Book of Middle Eastern Cooking by
Claudia Roden, Knopf, NY NY 2000 |
