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Perishky



I recall both of my grandmas baking perishy. The dough for perishy is similar to pie dough, but somewhat a softer dough. I have used numerous dough recipes but this is one I found in my mom's recipe cards not long ago and I have decided it's my favourite. Very soft and flaky, hold together well and bakes up beautifully.

Ingredients for dough:
  • 5 6/8 cups flour, (I find that 6 cups is too much, so take away several tablespoons and you should have it right)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 pound tenderflake lard (room temperature)
  •  2 cups sour cream
Ingredients for apple filling:
  • 4 cups finely peeled and chopped apples
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Method:
  1. Measure dry ingredients into bowl.
  2. Work in shortening using a pasty blender until mixture is a fine crumble.
  3. Add sour cream and stir with a fork until you get a soft dough that comes together into a ball. If needed add another spoonful of sour cream.
  4. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead several times to bring dough together into a smooth ball.
  5. Divide dough in half and roll out on a floured board into a thin square. 
  6. Cut into 3" squares. Repeat with second half of dough.
  7. Peel and cut apples into small pieces.
  8. Add sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
  9. Place a small scoop of apple filling onto each square. Pull up the four corners and pinch to seal.
  10. Place on parchment lines baking sheets. 
  11. Bake at 375º for 15-17 minutes. 
These can be made and frozen unbaked. When ready to bake preheat oven to 375º, place on parchment lined pan and bake for 17-20 minutes. 
Yields: approximately 3-4 dozen.
Roll out, cut, fill and pinch.

 Ready to bake....or freeze.

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful!!! I KNOW many cookbooks will be sold at those concerts! It would be awesome to know how many are sold in total.

    I'm making this apple dish today! We have had a drought here in the Midwest US, but no one told the apple trees there was a water dearth and they happily over-produced!

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  2. Looking forward to the concert! What a great opportunity and maybe once in a lifetime.
    Now...that dough...looks so wonderful. It looks so easy to work with. My apples are nearly ready to pick...can't wait.

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  3. It has become a tradition in our home to serve appitizers on Christmas Eve after the church service. I have made perishky on these occasions but always had trouble with the dough. This dough looks much easier to handle than my recipe. You can count on it this Christmas Eve I will be serving these.

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  4. I'm confused by the flour amount. Would you please clarify? These take me back 20 years to my mother-in-law's baking.

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  5. These perishkey look awesome! I can practically smell them.

    Kathy, did you really meant to say "emerging Christian community"? Christianity first entered Ukraine around 900 something, when Ukraine was part of/called Kievan Rus'.

    Sharon

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    Replies
    1. Dear Sharon,
      I believe what that statement is referring to is that there is a resurgence of an awareness of a personal relationship with God when, for many decades, Communism taught that there is no God.
      I hope this clarifies what is being said. I was at the concert last night and noted the same words in the program (you referred to) with a paragraph following that reminded us of how even artistic expression of any religious suject was strictly forbidden. My own grandparents experienced that kind of rule and what it did.
      It is ironic now to see that this orchestra is here to perform religious pieces, such as Handels Messiah, to the next generation of people who fled the country that forbade such music.

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  6. These are so beautiful! Kathy, I think Tender Flake is Lard. Is that what you use or do you use shortening?

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  7. My Oma makes these and I cannot wait to try them myself. What is your favorite baking apple?

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    Replies
    1. Granny smith, or what ever is on sale.

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  8. Those Perishky look perfect!!
    If I lived in your area, one of those concert dates would be on my calendar for sure - maybe not any on or before September 15th however - smile!! It will be wonderful - Enjoy!!!1

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  9. Thanks for the inspiration Kathy! One batch in the freezer tonight. Looking forward to the concert tomorrow evening.

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  10. Sharon, thank you for your question about the emerging Christian community in the Ukraine. I hope the following gives some understanding to what I had shared in this post from their material.

    (since) communism invaded and forbid any kind of artistic expression of
    religious subject . . . the nation was thrown into seventy years of spiritual darkness. Although Ukraine threw
    off the oppression of communism in 1991, it is still crippled economically and spiritually.
    KVOC collaborate with a variety of other Christian organizations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
    to bring spiritual hope and practical help to especially orphans and widows.

    Enjoy the day. Kathy

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  11. Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe. Just a question, I took some out of the freezer to bake but it would not turn brown like the ones you have in the picture...what am I doing wrong?...please help! Should I have brush them with an egg wash before placing them in the oven?

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