This Week: Alfajores
I didn’t get any at the Señor de los Milagros party yesterday and I’m still ticked about it. So darn it I’m making my own.
I didn’t get any at the Señor de los Milagros party yesterday and I’m still ticked about it. So darn it I’m making my own.
I could not be more excited!
I’ll do my best, Rebecca!
– Joe
Sounds exactly like my feelings after missing out on Kataifi two years running at our local Greek festival. After last year’s disappointment, I decided to learn to make them myself even though I was thoroughly intimidated by the look of them. Fortunately, one of my neighbors mother used to run a Greek restaurant and she clued me into using muffin tins instead of wrangling the shredded phyllo into the typical shredded wheat shape. Technically they were probably now bird’s nests, but tasted exactly like Kataifi and that was all that mattered to me. Can’t wait to see this next project!
Any interest in sharing that recipe? 😉
Cheers,
– Joe
Absolutely!! Any kataifi recipe will do – they all have slight variations and I’ve attached a traditional one showing the usual method: http://www.ultimate-guide-to-greek-food.com/kataifi.html.
The first hurdle for me was finding the shredded phyllo as I believe it is impossible to make at home. I found it at a Middle Eastern store here in town.
When using the muffin tin method, it is very helpful to use foil cupcake liners sprayed with non-stick spray. This makes removing from the pan and serving much easier.
To shape, pull off smaller chunks of strands than shown in the photo, coil into the cupcake liner, fill with the nut mixture and drizzle the butter over the top. Drizzling is much easier than trying to brush it on. Bake while preparing the syrup to pour on them when they come out of the oven.
The shredded phyllo will make a mess, but it will be worth it.
I would be a little upset, too, after googling these delightful looking cookies to see just what Alfajores were. I can’t wait to see your recipe!
Me neither, Vicki! 😉
– Joe
I LOVE alfajores. Love. What’s not to love about caramel and shortbread. (I know that’s reductive, but you see what I mean…)
Coming up tomorrow I hope!
Cheers,
– joe
Darn…I hate it too when the cookie trays in the party run out before I can attack them!
It’s the worst, especially when everything is little-old-lady made!
Cheers,
– Joe