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April 20, 2009

Bright Monday

My sister, Susanna, sewed these dresses for her 2 girls and my 2 girls!

I have used several different recipes for cheese-pascha, this year I actually made homemade cream cheese, which is like creamy ricotta, by using whole milk and buttermilk (set it on low for an hour or two in the crockpot ).

I also made lemon cheese, by adding the juice from 2 lemons to a half gallon of milk then heated it to 185-200'F, until there is a definite separation of curds and whey. Pour into a colander lined with cheese cloth (I put a bowl under to save the whey, it's a great source of protein, you can use a cup of it when you're making bread...our dog laps it up like it's the best thing she's had...and lastly, I'll pour some on my rosebush with any extra). Tied the corner of the cloth up and let drain 1-2 hours.This year I used the recipe my mom uses:

Cheese-pascha

3 lbs farmer's cheese (instead I used my homemade cheeses)
1/2 lb salted butter (softened)
1/2 c. raisins (I didn't put any in my cheese-pascha, just decorated it with them after)
1/4 lb finely chopped almonds (didn't use them this year)
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 egg yolks (I made macaroons with the left over egg whites)
1 whole egg
1 cup cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (scraped the seeds from the center of a vanilla bean instead)

Cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Combine with cheese (adding nuts and raisins, if desired) and cream. Cook in large pot over medium head until mixture bubbles, stirring occassionally (about 1/2 hour). When cool, add vanilla, place mixture in mould lined with cheese cloth. Refridgerate and allow to drain, unmould and decorate! Spread on top of kulich and enjoy!!!

Here's the recipe I use for kulich:

This is my basket with cheese-pascha and kulich. I also dyed the eggs using onion skins, they turned out beautifully.

14 comments:

::Sylvia:: said...

Oh your kulich and cheese paska look delicious! The girls dresses are absolutely beautiful, your sister is so talented!

I forgot about dying eggs with onion skins, I remember your post from last year and wanted to try it but completely forgot! I'll have to make a note for myself for next year!

Hope all is well!

Michelle M. said...

Those dresses are gorgeous! I am so impressed with people who can sew such beautiful things- I have a hard time working my sewing machine :)

DebD said...

the dresses are adorable. One day I'm going to make Pascha cheese. It is so yummy.

Kelleylynn said...

Christ is Risen!

Love the dresses, the kulich and cheese (friends made some for us...wonderful eats)
Blessed Feast of Feasts

Pres. Kathy said...

Christ is Risen! The girls look so beautiful! I hope you and your family had a blessed Pascha.

Rosemary said...

You are so talented! That looks delicious. The girls look adorable, so all this arty craftiness is genetic! Happy Easter, Martha!

Erin said...

Love the dresses!

Loreluca said...

WOWSERS, Martha!!! Again, Happy Resurrection Day to you!!! You always leave me speechless when I see all the good things you make! Can't even begin to think of making cheese!
LOVE those dresses... does your sister have a blog where she gives directions for them? I was thinking of making one for Coco, I actually bought the fabrics but I have been hesitating as to how to make them...

Matushka said...

I love the dresses. The girls look so sweet. I see Hannah likes to carry little girls too! :) Must be the mama in them.

A blessed Bright week to you all!

M.Michelle

Mimi said...

Christ is Risen!

Your sister is talented indeed! Great photo.

Meadowlark Days said...

Love those dresses!

Your last comment on my blog made me smile - perhaps I will make a new header with the pink flower photo!

Emily R. said...

I remember dying baskets in Onion Skins when I was in Youth Group along time ago!

Your girls dresses are beautiful!!! Very Springy!!!!

JO said...

just wanna say HELLO

::Sylvia:: said...

Hey martha! I'm looking for your onion dye recipe to try this year! Can you direct me to a link? Thanks!!