Homemade Poppy Seed Filling for Makowiec and other Cakes

Ingredients

• 14 oz (400 g) poppy seeds, blue or other
• 3.5 oz (100 g) raisins
• 2 tbsp almond spirit (Amaretto, almond ‘nalewka’) or gold rum
• 4 tbsp orange peel, fresh
• 2.5 cup (625 ml) whole milk
• 3 eggs
• 1.8 oz (5 tbsp, 50 g) chopped walnuts
• 1.8 oz (5 tbsp, 50 g) chopped almonds
• 11 tbsp (80 g) powdered / icing sugar
• 2 sticks (200-220 g) butter
• 4 tbsp honey, mild (acacia, lime, multi-flower)
• 3.5 oz (100 g) dried fruit mix (cranberry, apricot, prunes, dates)

Instructions

1. 1

   To get rid of any impurities, soak poppy...: To get rid of any impurities, soak poppy seeds in water first. Collect any dirt that floats to the top with a slotted spoon.

2. 2

   Rinse the poppy seeds and drain them on...: Rinse the poppy seeds and drain them on a sieve lined with gauze (cheese cloth or a muslin square). It can stay there for up to an hour if you’re doing something else in the meantime.

3. 3

   [Raisins] Rinse raisins under running water. Place them...: [Raisins] Rinse raisins under running water. Place them in a small bowl and pour 2-3 tablespoons of almond spirit or golden rum over them. Cover the bowl with a small plate and set aside.

4. 4

   [Fresh Orange Peel] Chop fresh orange peel (finely)...: [Fresh Orange Peel] Chop fresh orange peel (finely) and set aside.

5. 5

   Pour 2.5 cups of milk into a cooking...: Pour 2.5 cups of milk into a cooking pot (1.5 qt / litre pot should be large enough) and bring it to boil.

6. 6

   Drop all the poppy seeds in. Are they...: Drop all the poppy seeds in. Are they fully submerged in milk? If not, pour in some more.

7. 7

   Reduce the heat to ‘low’ and cook for...: Reduce the heat to ‘low’ and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time. Poppy seeds absorb the milk quite a bit, so make sure there’s enough of it.

8. 8

   Drain the poppy seeds on a sieve lined...: Drain the poppy seeds on a sieve lined with gauze, cheese cloth or a muslin square. If you can, try to squeeze out as much milk as possible.

9. 9

   Using a disc with the smallest holes, grind...: Using a disc with the smallest holes, grind the poppy seeds 2 to 3 times.

10. 10

    Separate yolks from egg whites. Whisk yolks together...: Separate yolks from egg whites. Whisk yolks together with 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar, set aside.

11. 11

    Place chopped walnuts and almonds in a wide...: Place chopped walnuts and almonds in a wide pot (or a deep frying pan). Add a pinch of salt and roast them for 4-5 minutes on a medium heat, not allowing the nuts to burn.

12. 12

    Add in 2 sticks of butter. Add 4...: Add in 2 sticks of butter. Add 4 tablespoons of honey and 4 tablespoons of chopped orange peel. Let the orange peel fry for a bit, a few minutes is enough.

13. 13

    Add in ground poppy seeds, chopped dried fruit...: Add in ground poppy seeds, chopped dried fruit and alcohol-soaked raisins. Mix everything together with a spatula, gradually adding egg yolks mixed with powdered sugar. Take the pot off the heat.

14. 14

    Whip the remaining egg whites until stiff, adding...: Whip the remaining egg whites until stiff, adding 5 tablespoons of powdered sugar near the end of whipping. Gently add them into the poppy mass.

15. 15

    And we're done! The poppy seed filling is...: And we're done! The poppy seed filling is ready to use in 'Makowiec' (Polish Poppy Seed Roll) or another dessert.