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Kichel, Sesame (Nothings) (P, TNT)
Source: "Pleasures of Your Processor," by Norene Gilletz
Yield: 36 to 40 cookies

3 eggs
2 tbsp. sugar or equivalent sugar substitute
Dash salt
1/2 cup oil
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sesame seeds
2 additional tbsp. sugar

Preheat oven to 500°F.

With the steel knife blade, process eggs with sugar and salt for about 30 seconds, or until light. Pour oil through the feed tube in a steady stream while the machine is running. Process 1 minute longer.

Add flour by heaping spoonfuls through the feed tube while the machine is running. Process 30 to 40 seconds longer. (Some processors will automatically shut off after about 40 seconds because the batter is very sticky. If you have an inexpensive processor, take care not to let the machine shut itself off or you may require a service call).

Combine sesame seeds with remaining sugar on a flat plate. Take a scant teaspoon of dough and use another spoon to push it off into the sesame seeds. Coat dough with sesame seeds. Stretch dough about 3" long and twist to make an elongated twisted finger. Roll again in sesame seeds.

Place cookies on two greased, foil-lined cookie sheets, making sure to leave room between each cookie. Reduce heat to 400°F and place cookies on middle rack of oven. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to 300°F and bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer. Shut off oven and let cookies remain in oven for 10 minutes longer to dry.

These may be frozen.

Variation: Roll in poppy seeds and sugar instead of sesame seeds and sugar.

Variation for Eyer Kichel: Prepare batter for Sesame Nothings as above. Instead of shaping into twisted fingers, drop batter from a teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet, leaving about 3" between cookies. If desired, sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake as directed above.

Poster's Notes:
This recipe is ideal for the food processor. It used to take my mother 20 minutes of mixing on the electric mixer, and I remember watching the batter climb up the beaters. The processor mixes up the batter in about 2 minutes. Although the instructions are long, these are really easy to make and are sure to become a family favorite. Buy sesame seeds at the bakery or health food store in bulk for maximum economy.

They puff up and are light, crunchy and fantastic. They expand from almost nothing into large crunchy puffs.

Posted by Tania Black

Nutritional Info Per Serving: Each cookie has about 43 calories if made from sugar; 40 calories each if made with sugar substitute.