serves
8-10
prep
10 minutes
cook
45 minutes
difficulty
Easy
serves
8-10
people
preparation
10
minutes
cooking
45
minutes
difficulty
Easy
level
The dollops of jam threaded throughout make this kugel equally appropriate as a side dish, a dessert, or the centerpiece for brunch.
Ingredients
- 340 g (12 oz) wide egg noodles
- ⅓ cup (75 ml/2½ fl oz) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (255 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 6 eggs
- ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
- 1½ tbsp poppy seeds
- ⅓ cup (110 g) cherry or apricot or jam
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas Mark 4).
2. Lightly grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13-inch) or other 3 L (3-quart) baking dish.
3. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook until just short of tender, 5–7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, applesauce, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until fully combined. Grind the poppy seeds in a spice or coffee grinder until just ground but not powdery (about 10 seconds). Add the ground poppy seeds and the cooked noodles to the egg mixture and stir to fully combine.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Take a teaspoon of the jam and dot it on top of the kugel, using the spoon to nestle it in the noodles. Repeat with the remaining jam, taking care to space the jam out evenly across the kugel. Bake until the kugel is set and golden brown, about 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes before slicing. Just before serving, use a fine-mesh sieve to lightly dust with cinnamon. Serve warm or at room temperature.
The Jewish Cookbook by Leah Koenig (Phaidon $65, hbk). Photography by Evan Sung.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
The dollops of jam threaded throughout make this kugel equally appropriate as a side dish, a dessert, or the centerpiece for brunch.
