This week, we celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday among many that commemorates the Jewish people prevailing over the persecution of their adversaries. As one of the most entertaining celebrations in Jewish culture, we invited our residents at The Tradition at MorseLife to decorate festive Purim masks and attend a hamentashen baking demonstration, two beloved Purim traditions.

Residents expressed their artistry as they gathered in The Tradition art room to paint and adorn masks in a variety of colors and decorated with pearls, beads and feathers.

While residents were decorating their Purim masks, a sweet aroma wafted from the Country Kitchen at The Tradition as the hamentashen demonstration began. Hamentashen are representative of the triangular hat worn by Haman, the antagonist in the Purim story, who sought to eliminate the Jewish people in the Persian Empire. In Jewish culture, the baking of these cookies is symbolic of making something sweet out of a bitter situation.

While residents had the chance to participate and enjoy this traditional cooking demonstration, we at MorseLife hope to extend the enjoyment to you and your family by sharing our very own hamentashen recipe with you!

Buttery Hamentashen Recipe (One-Dozen):

2 ½ cups sifted unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

¼ cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

¾ cup milk/cream mixture

1/3 cup melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°

1. Sift flour with baking powder, then combine in a bowl with the salt and sugar.
2. In another bowl, mix egg with milk and vanilla and lemon zest
3. Mix milk mixture with melted butter and pour mixture into center of dry ingredients. Stir until a soft dough is formed.
4. Knead a few times on a lightly floured work surface. Roll or pat to ¼ thick.
5. Cut into 3-inch circles and fill with a half teaspoon of your desired filling.
6. Pinch corners into a triangle.
7. Bake on a silicone sheet or parchment for 20 to 25 min. or until slightly golden.

*Cookies should not turn brown.

Chag Sameach! A happy Purim to you!

To learn more about about the celebrations and activities happening at The Tradition at MorseLife, call 561-701-8367 and schedule a tour today!