In many Portuguese households it is traditional to bake small biscuits for All Saints Day. Small children then go from house to house asking for "Pão por Deus", and are given some of these cookies, small cakes or biscuits, often made of pumpkin, fennel or sweet potato [although nowadays many also get candy or money]. One of my favourite biscuits during this season has always been broa de batata doce [a small sweet potato biscuit].
Yesterday night was a bit colder than usual, which immediately reminded me of those cold November days. I couldn't get my mind off those biscuits so... [you guessed it]
Boil 0,5 kg of sweet potatoes. When their done, wait until their cool and peel them. Mash them with a fork.
In a tupperware, mix the mashed potatoes with about 30g of margarine, 1 egg, 200g of sugar, 1 teaspoon of fennel and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Slowly incorporate 250g of flour [until the mixture no longer sticks to your fingers]. Let it sit for about 4 hours.
Slowly incorporate 250g of flour [until the mixture no longer sticks to your fingers]. Let it sit for about 4 hours.
With the help of two spoons [or with your hands] make small oval biscuits and place them in an ovenproof dish over greaseproof paper. Brush them with egg yolk so they will get a seductive golden colour.
Let them cook in the oven for 15 minutes at 200ºC.
Let them cook in the oven for 15 minutes at 200ºC.
They're perfect with tea or coffee. And don't be surprised if everyone says they love them.
Enjoy!
***
Em muitos lares portugueses é tradicional confecionar pequenos biscoitos ou broas para o Dia de Todos os Santos. As crianças vão então de casa em casa, a pedir por "Pão por Deus", e recebem algumas destas bolachas, bolos ou biscoitos, frequentemente feitos de abóbora, erva-doce ou batata doce [embora hoje em dia muitas recebam também doces ou dinheiro]. Um dos meus biscoitos preferidos nesta época sempre foi a broa de batata doce.
A noite de ontem esteve mais fria que o habitual, o que imediatamente me fez lembrar daqueles dias frios de Novembro. Não conseguia tirar aquelas broas da minha cabeça e por isso... [adivinharam]
Coze 0,5 kg de batata doce. Quando estão cozidas, espera até que arrefeçam e retira-lhes a pele. Esmaga-as com a ajuda de um garfo.
Num tupperware, envolve as batatas esmagadas, 30g de margarina, 1 ovo, 200g de açúcar, 1 colher de chá de erva-doce e 1 colher de chá de canela.
Lentamente incorpora 250g de farinha [até que a mistura já não se cole aos dedos]. Deixa-a repousar durante cerca de 4 horas.
Lentamente incorpora 250g de farinha [até que a mistura já não se cole aos dedos]. Deixa-a repousar durante cerca de 4 horas.
Com a ajuda de duas colheres [ou com as mãos] faz pequenos biscoitos em forma oval e coloca-os numa travessa forrada com papel vegetal. Pincela-os com gema de ovo para que obtenham uma cor dourada sedutora.
Deixa-os cozinhar no forno a 200ºC durante 15 minutos.
Deixa-os cozinhar no forno a 200ºC durante 15 minutos.
São perfeitos com chá ou café. E não te admires se todos dizem que os adoram.
Bom proveito!
what a great idea - they must be so good for you :)
ReplyDeleteHi. Thank you. They are certainly tasty and their anise-like aroma is really nice.
DeleteWhat a simple and delicious idea! Great recipe, Alex!
ReplyDeleteThank you! [While I'm having a biscuit and orange juice]
DeleteThese biscuits look and sound delicious!! I would love to give them a try! Nice to meet you…this is my first visit!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathy! Welcome! You should! The recipe is pretty easy to follow. Do the first part, then go out, and when you're back home just "build" the biscuits and put them in the oven. 15 minutes later: BAM! A treat! :)
DeleteWhat delicious looking biscuits!
ReplyDeleteAnd what's best: they're all gone! I just love it when people fight [or make a puppy face] for the last cookie.
DeleteWow, these are great! I love sweet potatoes, and am always looking for new recipes! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you like fennel, you can add some more to the recipe, too. :)
Delete