Gramma Becky’s Old World Recipes Written and Shared with a Loving Spoonful by LAURA PIAN
Kichlach Kichlach; some call it Kichel, Bowknots, Chrchiki. In the end, these words come from the same root as Kuchen (which in Yiddish, means “cookie”). Kichlach is the plural of Kichel. Plain and simply, Jewish Bow Tie Cookies. Grandma’s Kichlach were soft and crispy. They’d melt in your mouth before you even had a chance to chew them. They were coated with air bubbles that were fun to crunch away with my teeth. Grandma’s Kichlach were the closest thing to heaven that I ever ate. As a child when Grandma Becky was making Kichlach, I knew a fun, and whimsical time was ahead of us in the kitchen. Grandma’s hands would work on auto-pilot while she and I sang the chorus for the Yiddish song “A Mentsh Zol Men Zayn” (Be a Decent Person). Yiddish words, with English transliteration below. Although I did not speak fluent Yiddish, I was able to sing the songs and understand the quick witted sayings. We spent lots of time laughing as we sang, while serious work was happening in our kitchen. A Mentsh Zol Men Zayn (Yiddish): A kind iz tayer un oykh lib a tsirung iz es in der shtib. Dos shenste iz a kind nor af der velt si’z tayerer fun gelt! Far simkhe tanst di mamenyu fun nakhes kvelt der tatenyu. Dos greste glik far tate mama, a kind nor af der velt! (English): A child is dear and beloved, a treasure in the home. A child is the most beautiful thing in the world, dearer than money! The mother dances in celebrations, the father beams with pride. The greatest happiness for the father and mother, a child in the world! While Grandma and I were so deeply involved in what we were singing, we had created and baked the entire Kichlach recipe! I especially loved when Grandma Becky would tie one or two of these puffy bow ties to my hair or around my neck! I felt like the Kichel Princess!! Here I share this old, traditional recipe with you. I’m sure you’ll find it absolutely Kichelicious!
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cups sifted flour 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 3 large eggs, beaten 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Cinnamon (optional) Confectioner’s sugar (optional)
DIRECTIONS: Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add eggs and flavoring. Knead well (or use Mixmaster for 5 minutes). Turn out on floured board and roll to approx. 1/4” thickness. Sprinkle with sugar (cinnamon optional). Prick dough with fork. Cut into rectangles, diamonds, and rounds, twisting dough in center. Bake on a lightly floured cookie sheet or use parchment paper in moderate oven of 350 degrees until lightly browned (approx 35 minutes). When cooled, you may sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.
Enjoy and esn gezunt (eat in good 40 • FEBRUARY 2019 THE ARTFUL MIND
health)!
