MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02
  
       Title: Topig (Lenten Chick Pea Kofta)
  Categories: Armenian, Vegetarian
       Yield: 8 servings
  
            Karen Mintzias
       2 c  Chick peas
       6 c  -Cold water
       2 sm Potatoes; boiled in jackets
   1 1/2 ts Salt
            Freshly ground white pepper
 
 MMMMM--------------------------FILLING-------------------------------
       3 lg Onions; halved & sliced
       2 tb -Water
     1/4 ts Ground allspice
     1/2 ts Ground cumin
     1/3 c  Pine nuts
     1/3 c  Currants
     3/4 c  Tahina
            Salt
            Freshly ground black pepper
 
 MMMMM--------------------TO FINISH AND SERVE-------------------------
            -Boiling, salted water
            Olive oil
            Ground cinnamon or paprika
            Lemon wedges
            Parsley sprigs
  
   Serves: 8-12 Cooking time: 35 minutes
   
   Soak chick peas in the cold water for 24 hours, in a cool place if
   weather is warm.  Remove the skins by taking a handful at a time and
   rubbing with the palms of both hands so that the chick peas actually
   rub against one another.  Drop back into bowl and take up another
   lot. Skim off the floating skins as they accumulate.  (Dang, why not
   just leave the skins ON, this sounds like too much trouble! -KM)
   Drain well.
   
   Pass the skinned chick peas through food grinder twice, using fine
   screen. Alternatively, place in food processor container in 2 lots
   and process to a paste (NOW you're talking! -KM)
   
   Peel skin from boiled potatoes and mash finely with a fork.  Combine
   with ground chick peas, add salt and a good grinding of white pepper.
   Blend thoroughly and keep aside.
   
   Put sliced onions in a pan with the water, cover and steam over
   medium heat for 10 minutes, then remove cover and leave until
   moisture evaporates. Turn into a bowl and cool.
   
   Add allspice, cumin, pine nuts, and currants to the onion.  Blend
   well, then mix in tahina, and salt and pepper to taste.
   
   Take 4 pieces of unbleached calico or similar cloth, each about 50 cm
   (20 inches) square and scald in boiling water.  Cool a little, then
   wring out well.
   
   Open out a square of cloth on work surface and put a quarter of the
   chick pea paste in the centre.  Spread evenly with a spatula to a 20
   cm (8 inch) square and place a quarter of the filling in the centre,
   spreading it a little.
   
   Bring each corner of the paste over the filling by lifting up corners
   of cloth.  Paste should enclose filling in envelope fashion.  Smooth
   joins to seal well.
   
   Make a single tie with each pair of diagonally opposite corners of
   cloth, then tie a second time.  Complete another 3 topigs in the same
   way.
   
   Half fill a large pot with water, bring to the boil and add about 1
   tablespoon salt. When briskly boiling, lower prepared topigs into pot
   and return to the boil.  Cover and boil steadily for 12-15 minutes or
   until topigs float and feel firm to the touch.
   
   Lift out immediately and place on a tray, draining off water in tray.
   
   Untie and invert topigs onto platter.  Leave until cool.
   
   When ready to serve, pour a little olive oil over each topig and dust
   lightly with cinnamon or paprika.  Garnish platter with lemon wedges
   and parsley.  To serve, cut each topig in half, then slice in thick
   pieces. Olive oil and lemon juice are added to individual taste.
   
   NOTE: Ready-skinned chick peas are available at some Armenian and
   Greek food stores.  These look like split peas, but are larger and
   nut coloured.
   
   Source: The Complete Middle East Cookbook, by Tess Mallos Typos and
   smart remarks by: Karen Mintzias
  
 MMMMM

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