Thursday, January 27, 2011

Day 100! Macedonia - Macedonian Honey Cookies - Up Next, Madagascar


Day 100! Only 93 countries left to go! Who woulda thought it? To celebrate this personal blogging milestone, I decided that Macedonian honey cookies were just the thing. It snowed another foot last night, so after shoveling snow on top of snow, these simple, beautiful cookies, accompanied by a steaming cup of raspberry tea were not only perfect, but well earned (like I really need an excuse to indulge, right?).

Eaten as is, these cookies are delicious, especially if you don't like overly sweet cookies, which I don't.  The combination of ground walnuts, honey and cinnamon make for a crunchy, rich, heavenly flavor that puts any gooey, cookie to shame. However, if you're feeling like you want to do something elegant and special, dip them in a little bittersweet chocolate for a doubly decadent, sophisticated confection.



Located in the Central Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia and shares iMacedonia is independent country (Republic of Macedonia) borders with Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. Macedonia is a successor state of Yugoslavia, from whom it gained independence in 1991.

Cuisine in Macedonia is heavily influenced by Mediterranean customs, especially Greek and Turkish cooking. Middle Eastern, and to a lesser degree Italian and Hungarian traditions are also prevalent. Because the climate is relatively warm, a huge variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown in Macedonia. Dairy, wine, cheese and coffee are also abundant in this beautiful, fertile land.









Macedonian Honey Cookies (Adapted from an original recipe on Macedonain food)

1 egg
1/2 cup ground walnuts
3 1/8 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Confectioners sugar for dusting and/or 4 ounces 60% cacoa bittersweet chocolate (melted)

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle beater, beat the egg and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is light yellow and double the size (about 5 minutes).
Add the oil and honey and mix until combined. Add the walnuts, vanilla, cinnamon and continue mixing until combined.
Mix the baking powder with the flour and add it to the egg mixture and mix. If the batter seems a little dry, add just a teaspoon or two of water. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it a few times until the dough is soft.
Working on a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4" thickness.
With a cookie cutter or cup, cut shapes and place on greased (or use parchment paper) cookie sheet, leaving space between the cookies as they expand while baking.
Bake them about 15 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
Cool the cookies. You may eat them as are, sprinkle with confectioners sugar or dip in chocolate.

Final Assessment: Deluxe, Divine, Delectable.

8 comments:

Nina said...

So happy to have found your blog and love what you are doing with the cooking around the world project! Kudos to you. What an enormous (and very well done)project! I have *so* enjoyed looking through your posts. Amazing...what a treat! Looking forward to the rest of them. Cheers!

sadie said...

Thanks, Nina, and welcome! It's readers like you who take the time to give me feed back that give me the inspiration to keep going! Best, Sarah

Anonymous said...

Macedonia is a part of greece not north of it you are confusing it with Ferum or scopia as it was their previus name and it is east of former Yugoslavia plz dont make such mistakes of geografic nature, because here in greece that is very hurtfull thank you.

sadie said...

Thanks so much for correcting me - I rely on readers like you to edit any inaccuracies I may inadvertently make. I very much appreciate you're feedback and appreciate the time you took to connect with me. Respectfully, Sarah

Anonymous said...

Why do greeks involve politics evrywhere? Macedonia is independent country (Republic of Macedonia) it s not part of greece.

sadie said...

Since you are Macedonian, I will correct my post - Interesting perspective from 2 different countries. I should have left the post as it originally was, but am always worried about offending if I get things wrong!

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much this means a lot for the Macedonians . Macedonia is small country in Southern Europe. You should write more about delicious Macedonian cousine. Greetings from Macedonia !

sadie said...

You're so very welcome! And, when I get done with my (virtual) trip around the world, I'll most certainly come back around to sample more of your beautiful country's cuisine. Best, Sarah