Savor the Flavor

Kourambiathes (White Powdered Sugar Cookies)

Ingredients: 1 lb. butter (no substitutes) 1/4 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts

1 egg yolk

6 cups sifted flour

Whole cloves (optional)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Clarify the butter by melting over medium heat, bring to boil. Remove from heat and let cool. Carefully remove the top solid layer from the clearer bottom layer. Clarified butter is essential to the success of the recipe. Slowly turn butter into mixing butter add powdered sugar, egg yolk, and cream two minutes. Gradually add the flour, mixing constantly. Knead the dough for about 30 minutes. Pinch off small pieces of dough and form halfmoons or other shape. May place a whole clove in the center if desired. Place on cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake in oven until lightly golden brown. Sift about 1 small box of powdered into bowl. When cookies are done roll, each one in powdered sugar until covered.

Sophia Rantis, Greece

Nikki’s Koulourakia Fasting Cookie Ingredients: 1 lb. (4 sticks) Fleischman’s margarine 1/2 cup orange juice 1-1/2 cups confectioner sugar 3 tsps. baking powder 3/4 tsp. vanilla 5 cups flour

Optional: Orange rind or Apricot Jam

Instructions: Mix margarine, sugar and vanilla. Sift flour and baking powder together. Alternate adding flour and orange juice, blending to a creamy mixture. Knead as you might bread dough. Chill dough for a few hours. Form into desired shapes. I make long rolls using 1 tsp of dough then twisting into a rope shape. “Play” with the dough to get the shape you want.

Bake on greased cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes 350 degrees.

“I met Nikki when I was living in Thessaloniki, Greece. Imagine my shock and joy upon hearing her voice at Pammakarstos Monastery in 2000 in North Carolina. She and her husband had moved there to be near their son. She is a fantastic cook.” -Virginia Chyrsikos

Nikki, Greece

Savor The Flavor

127