Hungarian Poppy Seed Vanilla Crescent Cookies
Mákos Kifli; A twist on a family favorite cookie recipe
Chef’s note: The cookie dough is simple to put together and the cookies have a short baking time but this dough does require an overnight rest.
While poppy seed isn’t all too common here in North America, this tiny black seed has been a celebrated ingredient in Hungarian cuisine since the Ottoman empire of the 17th century.
One could say that the two most common and beloved pastry ingredients of Hungarian desserts are the poppy seed and walnut.
Aside from the deliciousness of the various desserts incorporating these two ingredients, Hungarians also attribute superstitious beliefs. For example, the walnut is said to ward off hexes, while the poppy seed (Mák) is supposed to bring prosperity. While I cannot vouch for those myself, I confess that my Hungarian mother is highly superstitious.
When I was home last, a broom by the door fell across the threshold, and when I went to pick it up, she swatted my hand away. Then, she skipped and hopped over the broomstick three times on each side like a fleet-footed girl…
