Patricia Talorico|The News Journal
Who doesn't love a mystery?
We're in need of a Sherlock Holmes gastronome who could use well-honed detective skills to help solve "The Case of the Missing Hungarian Cookie."
Ready to put on your Ulster overcoat and deerstalker cap and start sleuthing? Spyglass and pipe are optional.
Can't find a favorite, regional cookie
Do you know any place that sells kiffles in the area?
My wife is from Lehigh Valley, [Pennsylvania], where they are readily available, but I can't seem to get them locally.
Any thoughts?
Dan Johnson
Dan, congratulations. You stumped me.
I have to say, I was not familiar with the word kiffle (pronounce it kif-full) until I did some research and then found photographs of these hand-held, fruit-filled, pastry treats.
No mention of kiffle can be found in Sharon Tyler Herbst's "Food Lover's Companion," nor in "Webster's New World Dictionary of Culinary Arts."
But, as usual, Google proved to be our faithful friend.
Kiffles are traditional Hungarian holiday cookies filled with fruit preserves such as apricot, cherry or prune (known as lekvar). Ground walnuts also are sometimes used. The dough for these roll-and-bake cookies is rich with butter and cream cheese.
"These delicate pastries sparkle like gems on holiday cookie trays, drawing our focus and keeping it until we finally yield to temptation and consume every last one," food writer Diane Stoneback wrote in Allentown, Pennsylvania's The Morning Call in 2007.
I found dozens of descriptions of kiffles, as well as photographs, but not all are the same.
Many, however, say the kiffle dough usually is rolled out paper thin, filled with preserves or nuts, then rolled and baked. Powdered sugar is sprinkled on top when the cookies are still warm.
I found a recipe (somewhat similar) to kiffles in a 1975 "Better Homes and Gardens Homemade Cookies Cookbook." But the treats are called "Cream Cheese Pastries." The dough is cut into squares with dots of red jelly or jam placed in the center of each one. The two diagonal corners of each square are pinched together to seal before the cookies are baked and dusted with powdered sugar.
I don't think this is what you're seeking, but, I'm sorry to say, I'm not sure where to find kiffles in Delaware. Readers? Thoughts?
In the meantime, if you can't wait for an answer, you could order kiffles online from The Kiffle Kitchen Bakery based in Bath, Pennsylvania. (They also have a satellite location at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.)
Visit the website, www.kifflekitchen.com.
More places for Greek food
Last week, we mentioned Opa, Opa, a new Greek eatery coming soon to Wilmington's Trolley Square Shopping Center off Delaware Avenue. We also named a few other places for Greek eats. But, readers let us know we missed a few places.
Don't forget Kozy Korner. Delish!
Marie Stewart
Just an FYI for those who don't know, Kozy Korner at 906 N. Union St. in Wilmington sometimes has lunch specials such as pastichio with Greek salad, or spanakopita (spinach pie). Visit its Facebook page for more information.
Get me to the Greek – diner
Cosmos Diner also has excellent Greek food.
Barry Snyder
Cosmos Diner Restaurant at 316 S. Maryland Ave. in Wilmington also has Greek specialties like moussaka and souvlaki. Visit the website, cosmos-restaurant.com.
'Wonderful' meals in Odessa
I'd like to share with your readers what my husband and I have enjoyed for many years – the Hearth Restaurant on U.S. 13 in Odessa. Owned and operated by Nick Kledaras, it has a varied menu of wonderful home-cooked meals at very reasonable prices.
Featuring homemade soups, fresh seafood, lunch specials like hot roast turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy (Thursday), omelets, scrapple, the best fried potatoes, prime rib dinner Saturday and baked chicken on Sunday, it's well worth a visit.
All served in a pleasant atmosphere with friendly competent wait staff. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.; and closed Mon.
Thank you,
Ann Nichols
Wilmington
Readers, Ann was so enthused about the Hearth, she wrote us a letter. Yes, a real letter. On paper. Now, that's a loyal patron.
Thanks for the review. For more information, call the Hearth at (302) 378-9901.
Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Read her culinary blog Second Helpings at www.delawareonline.com/blog/secondhelpings and follow her on Twitter @pattytalorico.
