Letters
Lemon Cookies and Log Cabin
Dear Ann,
You know what time of year it is here in New York City—it’s the all-too-short season of cherry blossoms and Passover. Three decades into my gig as matriarch-in-training, I’ve adjusted my reach to more accurately reflect my grasp. But at Passover time I am still balabusting with all my might.
To review, here’s a post on my traditional Passover recipe repertoire, with recipe links.
In the eight years since then, I’ve made changes and evolutions.
My new brisket rabbi is Jake Cohen, whose French Onion Brisket is so delicious and fuss-free that I’m not even mad that he pretends I can caramelize a dutch oven full of sliced onions in 20-25 minutes. I’m happy to spend the better part of an hour babysitting the onions on their way to peak brown/melty/glossy status; there’s plenty of other scullery work to help pass the time.
After years of adhering to a family tradition that never really sang for me—starting the festive meal off with a celebratory round of cold hard-boiled eggs—I followed my Midwestern, potluck-loving heart and deviled those eggs. Lightning did not strike when I tried it last year, so this year I got very full of myself and used a cake decorating tip to pipe the filling into the egg whites. So they were fancy in addition to delicious. Come at me, guardians of tradition! If you don’t approve, I’ll gladly save you a sad plain egg—enjoy!
After many explorations of the foamy, fluffy, and let’s admit it—bland—world of Passover desserts, I’ve gravitated to simpler sweets to end the meal. When everyone has loaded in a couple of platesful of brisket and Mrs. Feinberg’s vegetable kugel, a seven-pound Tiramatzu can be a bit much. (I’ve made it, it’s great, it’s just a lot.)
The quest for simplicity led me to an amazing and amazingly easy-to-make cookie. It is a cookie for people of all faiths who love the general category of macaron/macaroon/pignoli-style cookies.
In a spirit of the season of renewal, here’s a gift link to Joan Nathan’s recipe in the New York Times: Almendrados (Almond-Lemon Macaroons). I substituted two cups of Kirkland almond flour for the two cups of whole blanched almonds that the recipe tells you to grind up. This sub yielded up chewy, lemon-hinty, slightly sweet cookies that everybody loved, too good to eat just once a year.
Comfort Food for Knitters
Balabusta mode demands easy knitting. Currently on the needles: a Zigzag Zen Blanket by Anniina Juuti.
Photo: Anniina Juuti
Although this blanket is constructed using what I think of as a half log cabin square—a two-sided corner—the pattern doesn’t call it that. Whatever you call it, it’s zen knitting at its finest.
I’m pushing my own envelope by following the designer’s instruction to hold the live stitches of each finished section on a stitch holder instead of binding them off. While holding stitches would annoy me with a four-sided log cabin square, with this two-sided design you’re only holding one section of stitches at a time. It’s cool: not having to pick up from a bound-off edge makes the stitch-count math effortless, and the fabric is smoother without those ridges of bound-off stitches in there. (If none of what I just said makes sense to you, I’ve got a Field Guide for you—log cabin knitting is the best!)
The yarn: Rowan Denim from kind knitters who were looking to rehome a discontinued yarn they never quite took to; it is precious to me. Take no notice of the blue smudges on the ecru; color catchers will take care of that in the wash, I promise.
Love,
Kay
Please speak to me on what this magic “color catchers in the washer” technology may involve! Also, cookies look yum!
You don’t know of color catchers??? ((GASP)) And no, I am NOT judging you. My “GASP” is one of shock that there still exists in any corner of ANY fiber art circle, but especially the magic world of MDK, any fiber craft artist who does NOT know of color catchers! We all learn the first time somewhere, somehow!
I feel honored & humbled to introduce you.
Color Catchers are a magical laundry aid similar to a dryer sheet, but you pop them into the wash with ANY fabric that you fear may, or know WILL, run it’s color. Rowen’s Original Denim yarn (now discontinued… SOB) is designed to fade it’s traditional old-world indigo dyes, just like denim fabric, so when you knit it into a blended fabric, as Kay is doing in her blanket, you MUST use a color catcher for the first few washes or your desired crisp color contrasting stripes will become lighter & darker shades of faded indigo denim blue or black. We all know the dreaded runs of red that sneak into the wash and turn tidy whiteys into dreadfully pink unmentionables. These magical little sheets of sorcery absorb the free floating dyes and prevent them from finding the other fabrics you want to NOT have tinted with a pastel version of the generous sharing originating dye.
No worries! There are multiple brands of these magical wonders and the product names vary with the brand. A Google search for “Color Catcher laundry aid” should bring you multiples. Shout has one,Walmart has a store brand too. You may need to look for them (I had difficulty locating them here in Canada) since fabrics & clothing manufacturers have made color fading less of an issue in recent years. However, as older versions of traditional dyes return to favor, such as indigo in Rowen Original Denim, especially when striped with a contrasting color, color catchers are de rigueur!
Now you know!
BTW – in the event you run a load of wash and needed a color catcher, but you didn’t know you needed one, there is a product that can help you restore color from untintentional pastel shame. It is Carbona’s Color Run Remover, but it can be aggressive! It’s best for use on whites as it does not always distinguish between colors you want to keep and colors you don’t.
Thank you for your explanation regarding Color Cathchers.
I didn’t know about these wash wonders either!
Me either!
Thanks for a different abd easirmer way to knit log cabin. Putting stitches on stitch holder sounds so much better than binding off and picking up.
Plan to make one soon!
This blanket is a Rowan Denim dream!
(also, the lemon cookies.)
I recently acquired this pattern, too, without a yarn plan though. I have lots of Rowan Denim in my stash, but unfortunately only the two shades of blue…no ecru. I love the look of your blanket. Can’t wait to see the finished masterpiece!
There is NO ecru R.O.D.
It only came in light blue, dark blue and black so when or if you wanted to do other colored stripes (I’ve done it too) you need to both plan for color fading (Color Catchers to the rescue) AND plan for the differences in R.O.D’s planned shrinkage next to a non-R.O.D. yarn that either won’t shrink, or may shrink differently.
In my project, I swatched AND BLOCKED first to verify that using metal needles for the non-R.O.D. and wooden needles for the R.O.D, would provide just enough difference in knit gauge to accomodate the varying shrinkage in blocking. Yep! It worked, or at least, it worked well enough that the final result did not look puckered or restricted like a stranded colorwork project with too-tight floats!
Thanks for that explanation. Very helpful!
It used to come in Ecru for a brief and glorious time! I can show you the labels that say Rowan Denim!
Aaaand again! We all learn something for the 1st time somewhere, somehow and here I am learning that there was MORE than I knew to the most wonderful line that was…
And I 1st learned of R.O.D. from MDK/Ann & Kay. Thank you once again Kay!
Yes! It was just Rowan Denim before the other revival denims including one called Rowan Original Denim. I recently unearthed yarns that have been in storage for 12 (!) years and uncovered a good stash of Rowan Denim in the Tennessee colors and Ecru along with my copy of Indigo Knits. It was a very happy reunion.
I have always enjoyed your holiday posts and this one is a delight with the recipes especially new and updates.
Yes indeed!
This post is getting saved!! Thank you for ALL of this!
Oh Kay! You balabusta with the best!
Thank you for a wonderful, inspirational description and pictures!
The first time I made Mrs. Feinberg’s vegetable kugel, my dad’s Seder went on for so long that the kugel cooked for at least an hour too long. The result was dense and chewy. My kids called it “Sweet Potato Brownies”; now it’s the only way we make it!
We overbake it on purpose too!
Thank you for your explanation regarding Color Cathchers.
I didn’t know about these wash wonders either!
For Passover this year, I made a very similar almond cookie, from Nigella Lawson’s book Feast. It uses the same amount of almonds and sugar as the lemon cookies, two egg whites, and a bit of cardamom. Delicious, and perfect after brisket!
I have 11 skeins of the Rown Denim Dark Blue. If anyone is interested and willing to pay for postage, I will send them to you.
Mary H.
Sorry, it found on owner.
I would be happy to postage for your Rowan Denim.
Sorry, it found an owner.
Hi Mary. If nobody else has raised their hand yet, I would be interested in the Rowan Denim
Sorry, I it found an owner.
Here’s the reason matzo can be eaten but not bread: leavening agents baking powder baking soda cream of tartar all cause flour to rise…. Matzo is noting more than flour and water! Nothing to raise the dough. Eggs onion and other flavors can be added to the flour and water, ie egg matzo etc.
Loved Olive’s photo!! Cuteness overload!
And now to check out that chocolate cake!! Happy Passover to those celebrating happy Spring one and all!
A friend brought those cookies for a knitting afternoon yesterday and they were delicious!
Must try those lemon cookies …. Can’t make the Mrs Feinberg anymore as the Husbeast can’t have many of the ingredients. Made my usual brisket and soup. Swimming in matzoh crumbs as I type …zizze Pesach!
Love that blanket!
The links to these recipes are killing me!! A mouth watery thank you Kay. Happy Pesach to you, everyone at MDK and fellow balabusta knitters.
I am also not fond of usual Passover desserts. We now make matzoh crack. Mix brown sugar with melted butter and spread on matzoh. Cover with chocolate chips and put under the broiler until melted. Spread with a knife to the edges. Add chopped nuts and or dried fruit on top. Cool and serve. Easy peasy.
I do love a Denim garter stitch blanket! When we moved a year or so ago, I discovered a big Ikea ottoman full of Denim that I’d sort of forgotten about. Many plans now!
Ah, the treasures brought to light as one moves house. A perfect housewarming present to yourself!
Lemon lemon lemon! Looking forward to making these cookies. There was quite a convo in the remarks on the recipe about how much almond meal is the equivalent of 2 cups of almonds, ground. But if you used 2 full cups, I will too! (Some say 1 1/3 cups is equivalent by weight, but 2 cups would make more cookies, right?)
Re: not binding off on your blanket sections: I generally like the stability those bind offs give. Is your blanket wildly stretchy, or perfectly fine, as it gets bigger?
I don’t know yet about the blanket! So far I’m liking the novelty of it, the smoothness of the fabric. And I’m going to shrink the denim in the washer and dryer so I think it will not be overly stretchy.
If you’re reading the comments on the cookies, you’ll also see Lemon Lovers adding juice and more zest. I always like things to be lemonier but I did not do any of that, and I really like the flavor. I might scant my 2 cups of almond flour next time, just a little, as the dough was very stiff, but I tell you what–I did not have the issue of the cookies spreading as they baked!
Be ready, kids. Next year mom wants you to arrange the matzoh and boiled eggs into a log cabin pattern. You’re a delight, Kay!
It’s not too late for this year! If I have enough eggs left, I’m in! Chag Pesach Sameach to those celebrating…and we’re all celebrating Kay’s cooking & knitting!
I have a recipe for French Onion soup that I’d clipped from the newspaper 30-odd years ago. It has you caramelize the onions in the crock pot. Slice up a bunch of onion, drizzle them with olive oil & let them cook away for 8-12 hours. So freaking easy! That’s the only way I make them.
That’s brilliant, especially for this recipe, because then you could just add the brisket to the crockpot and carry on slow-cooking for another 6 hours. I always think braises turn out a little better in the dutch oven than in the crockpot, but for a crowd/big brisket my rectangular crockpot is a better size.
Hi Kay, totally agree on the caramelized onions. Have never been able to make it work in 20-25 minutes, no matter what cast iron pan or enameled cast iron Dutch oven I have. But I also refuse to leave the 4-foot perimeter of the stove (just in case!)
Happy Passover! (was this meant to be the Monday post?!)
Thanks for the Almendrados link! I’ll make it tomorrow for the seder with the grandkids on Saturday (for the adults — I think the kids will want the chocolate covered matzahs).
And thanks for the mention of color catchers, which I had not heard of either! Thanks you J Diane for the explanation!
Chag Sameach Kay. I’m definitely baking up a batch (or three) of these cookies.
I only wish I had seen this last week, but recipes duly noted for next year! But I did make Almendrados and I will never not make them as a result. So ridiculously easy and delicious. A perfect bite of lemony sweetness. I recognize that Balabusta squad….professionals in their own right! You’ve got a great crew Kay.
Color Catchers? This is a thing? How do I not know about this?
Baruch HaShem and lots of love, Paula
Love these cookies! I double the lemon zest and add a healthy pinch of cut up saffron threads, softened in a teaspoon of warm water. One of my favorite cookies.
Deviled eggs are a brilliant modification, Kay.
As is holding the stitches on your new blanket.
I had also never heard of “colour catchers”. That’s what I love about this daily emails, I’m always learning something new! I will keep my eye out for some. Kay your blanket is gorgeous!
Love it all!
My unintentional change to tradition intended to be a creative upgrade this year : I used some purple carrots to make the soup. We had purple broth! And the matza balls appeared dip dyed. Taste 10:10, visuals – still deciding….
I was hosting one of my first seders without family, living in the South, and one of my friends volunteered to bring the eggs. To my shock and horror, she brought them deviled! Now, this lady is a proper Jewish Southerner, so she really knows all the rules. I didn’t dare question her. And really, it would been unforgivably rude to do anything but thank her and serve those gorgeous little morsels, right? I was a little worried about how my other guests would respond, but in turns out the scandal of that seder was the rice, not the eggs. My family is Sephardic, and for us rice has always been kosher for Passover. Despite my explanation, one guest actually did leave the table (talk about rude!). Since then, my family has embraced deviled eggs for the seder, along with our rice.
Kay, those almond lemon macaroons look yummy! I am reminded of an almond cookie that my mother made. She would put the almonds in the blender to grind them. I bet now, she would love the idea of using almond flour. Great idea!
Oh Kay, you’ve made me so nostalgic. In a sweet way. Thanks.
Wow! What a fantastic post! I never knew about color catchers, either. Plus, Lemon cookies that I can eat because they are Gluten Free! Another lemon recipe for my bumper crop. Thank you! (I love Rowan Denim too!)
I just knew there was a good reason for holding on to ancient and precious stash of these exact three shades of Denim cotton. Mine was a knockoff sold by Elann.com. Now to ponder the details of the pattern: I guess I can live with not binding off each log but … no blanket border? Please, Kay, tell me there’s an i-cord edging in your near future.
Comfort Denim Knitting ! Love this blog leitmotif bises MDK !
What a great post with all the links. An all-time favorite. You had me at balabusting. I’m reading every single thing plus making the cookies.
As always, a lovely, engaging post! I’m especially grateful for the lemon cookie recipe just now. Recently eliminated all grains from my diet and such a treat to find an almond flour dessert recipe. Going to be making them this weekend. Thank you!
I think I might be seeing some of the Rowan denim that was once mine – happy to see it taking shape.
Thank you for the recipes. Yum!! The blanket colors are so good!!! Love it.
What a funny and welcome post about changing things up a bit for a favorite holiday! Next year- deviled eggs! Thank you, Kay.