Homemade | My Tryst with Baking

Faworki or Angel Wings, are traditional Polish sweet pastries shaped in the form of thin ribbons. They are deep fried and dusted with loads of icing sugar. As legend has it, women in medieval times tied coloured ribbons on their knights’ armour before they went into battle. This was a symbol of good luck and a sweet reminder that they awaited their return. Faworki are named for such “favours”

I came across these sweet, crisp bow pastries in a Polish Piekernia (bakery) and took an instant liking to them. They should be delicate and melt in the mouth. I thought to give it a try and they turned out pretty decent for my first attempt. 🙂

This recipe has been adapted from RECIPES & STORIES FROM A SUMMER IN POLAND.

Angel Wings

Ingredients :

500 g All purpose flour
5 egg yolks
2 tsp white vinegar
4 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions :

Sift the flour and icing sugar on the work surface.

Make a well in the center and mix in the eggs, vinegar and sour cream to form a dough.
Knead the dough well until smooth.

Divide the dough into chunks and dust the work surface with some flour. Roll out each piece so it is about 4mm thick.
Cut the thin dough into strips about 3 cm wide and 15 cm long.
Dust the pastry with extra flour if it is too sticky to handle.

Cut a slit in the middle of each strip.

Take one end of the rectangle and put it through the center to make a bow shape.

Heat the oil and deep fry till the strips are golden but not brown.

Drain on a kitchen paper and sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.

Bon Apetit!

I am currently living in Wroclaw,Poland and have had a hard time finding chocolate chips. So, I would bake my cookies sans chips or with chocolate pieces. One sunny Saturday morning, my hubby and I went for grocery shopping at Hala targowa, a fresh produce marketplace in Wroclaw.

MarketPlace

While we were strolling along the many stalls,we discovered a cute little stall in a nook run by a young and friendly Polish girl who was selling candies and some cake decorating ingredients.

Being me, I always like to scout for different things that I can incorporate in my baking.As i began gazing at the different colors of edible glitter, my eyes fell upon a box of chocolate chips.I was ecstatic and yes,you guessed it right.I had to make chocolate chip cookies right away!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

In this recipe I have used butter straight from the refrigerator and microwaved for 15-20 seconds to get the chill off it.This means you do not need to chill the dough.Chill for about 20-30 minutes if the dough is very soft.

Makes about 12-14 cookies

Ingredients:

113 g butter
55 g caster sugar
100 g light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
150 g all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
100 g semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5.Line two baking sheets with baking paper.

Remove the butter from the fridge and microwave for about 20 seconds.

In a bowl sift together all the dry ingredients except sugar.

In another bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.Add the white and brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated.

Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated.

Add in the chocolate chips and mix through.

Chocolate Chips

Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.

For the cookies,use an ice cream scoop and arrange on the baking tray leaving enough space for the cookies to spread.

Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown in color.

Just out of the oven!

Cool completely on wire rack.

Cool before serving

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The chocolate chip cookies were crisp at the edges and chewy at the center,just as I like it.They were perfect and can satisfy your cravings for a chewy yummy chocolate chip cookie anytime.