Purim

On Purim,we eat Hamantaschen, a triangular-shaped cookie with fruit 
filling.  Hamantaschen represent the three-cornered hat worn by Haman,
the villian in the Book of Esther, who plotted to kill all the Jews in 
Persia.  However, he was defeated and hanged by Queen Esther, wife of 
King Ahashverosh, and her uncle Mordechai.  Here is a recipe for 
Hamantaschen:

DOUGH
2 sticks margarine
1 tablespoon oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs 
1/2 cup pineapple juice or orange juice or syrup from canned fruit
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
5 cups flour (if the dough is too soft for handling, add 1/2 cup more)

FILLING
Use your favorite fruit-flavored jam or pie filling, or you can use 
filling made especially for hamantaschen, available around the time
of Purim at your local supermarket.

Mix margarine, oil and sugar.  Cream well. Add remaining ingredients 
and mix well.  Divide the dough into 3 balls and chill the dough 
several hours or overnight.  Roll out 1/8 inch thin, cut with a round
cookie cutter 2 1/2-3 inches. Place a teeaspoon of filling on each
and in your hand, shape into triangles, and place on a greased baking
sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees until nicely browned, about 15 minutes.
Makes about 5 dozen cakes. Brush with egg for deeper browning. 






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