Sunday, June 6, 2010
Salty Sesame Rings (Susamlı Çörek)
My aunt GK passed away a couple of years ago, and as I write this post, I'm reminded of the amazing cook she was. I was always impressed by how quickly she worked in the kitchen and how her cooking was all about feeling, instinct, and of course experience. There was no measuring, no writing recipes down, and there were certainly no rules. There was a lot of joy and laughter. She adapted and created dishes with an ease and confidence that most people, including chefs, could only dream of. She was always inviting me over and offering to teach me her secrets; I only wish I would have accepted more often. She was sadly taken from us much too soon, and her delicious dishes lost with her.
There was a time when my aunt, mom, and I would make Salty Sesame Rings (Susamlı Çörek), what feels like, weekly. As far as pastries go, these are probably some of the simplest ones you'll ever come across, but trust me when I say they're addictive. I have yet to meet someone who hasn't tasted them and fallen in love.
There was a time when my aunt, mom, and I would make Salty Sesame Rings (Susamlı Çörek), what feels like, weekly. As far as pastries go, these are probably some of the simplest ones you'll ever come across, but trust me when I say they're addictive. I have yet to meet someone who hasn't tasted them and fallen in love.
Also referred to as Tuzlu Çörek, these savory little Turkish pastries make a great snack and are traditionally served with tea. Topped with sesame and black caraway seeds (Nigella Sativa), they remind me visually a bit of mini everything bagels. You could, naturally, customize your batches by adding or removing "toppings".
Parents looking to get their kids involved in the kitchen will be pleased to know that this recipe is perfect for just that. Whether they're helping you mix the ingredients, shape the dough into rings or add the "toppings", your kids are guaranteed to have a good time. One warning, however: kids who like to lick the bowl will probably enjoy eating this dough too. I still hear my mother and grandmother's voices yelling at me that I'm going to end up with a stomach ache if I don't quit it. For some reason, I just couldn't make them understand that the batter - or in this case, dough - is the best part. And, no, I still don't listen and have yet to get sick!
Parents looking to get their kids involved in the kitchen will be pleased to know that this recipe is perfect for just that. Whether they're helping you mix the ingredients, shape the dough into rings or add the "toppings", your kids are guaranteed to have a good time. One warning, however: kids who like to lick the bowl will probably enjoy eating this dough too. I still hear my mother and grandmother's voices yelling at me that I'm going to end up with a stomach ache if I don't quit it. For some reason, I just couldn't make them understand that the batter - or in this case, dough - is the best part. And, no, I still don't listen and have yet to get sick!
Salty Sesame Rings (Susamlı Çörek)
In Memoriam: GK
Printer Friendly Recipe
3 cups of flour
8 oz of cream cheese, softened, or Greek style yogurt
8 oz butter (2 sticks), softened, preferably salted
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, yolk only
Sesame seeds
Black Caraway seeds (Nigella Sativa)
Lightly cream butter and cream cheese (or yogurt) in a large bowl.
Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix as much as you can with a spoon or spatula, then mix the rest by hand until well blended.
Prepare 3 breading trays or 3 small plates. Place egg yolk with a few drops of water in the first to create an egg yolk wash. Place sesame seeds in the second and black caraway seeds in the last one.
Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Take a small amount of dough and roll out in between palms until about 3 inches long; then, shape into small rings. Continue making rings or braids until no more dough is left. Work quickly; the longer the dough sits out, the softer and less manageable it becomes. Try and keep the size of the rings relatively even so that you don't end up with some undercooked or burnt ones.
Dip each ring into the egg wash followed by the sesame seeds, black caraway seeds or a combination of both. Coat one or both sides and place on the baking sheet. I only address the top. Once you've coated all the rings, bake them for 28-30 minutes or until golden on top.
Allow the pastries to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container.
Yields about 60-65 small rings.
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9 comments:
Gorgeous!! Love them. They're simply addictive!
Beautiful photos! I have tasted this before. and yes, they are soo addictive!
@Cherine - Thank you! I had a friend come over the other day, and she kept sneaking off to have some. Another person converted.
@Anh - Thank you! What's worse is that since they're so easy to make, it's hard to justify not having them around the house. Vicious, but delicious, cycle!
These look FABULOUS! Love the picture too!
@Jessica - Thank you very much. Give the recipe a try, and let me know what you think!
These pictures are amazing and the food looks great too. I am definately going to involve my kids in helping me make it. I don't think they will need any help from me in eating it.
I've made the Italian version of these (topped with cheese and chopped rosemary) and I will have to try these out!
Gorgeous photos!
@polwig - Thank you. Follow up with us after you've made them. I would love to hear what your kids and you thought.
@elizabeth - Thank you for the compliments. The beauty of these little rings is that they're really easy to customize. A rosemary and cheese topping sounds delicious. Let me know how you like this version.
When I first saw these, I thought it was the Turkish version of what we refer to as Simit in Armenian, but when I read the recipe, it wasn't quite the same. They look alike though. What really made me jealous was the green plums in your pictures. I miss those sooooo much! My grandparents used to have a tree in their yard when I was growing up, and I could always find them in MA, but when I was living in LA and now in NY, I can't find them. :(