Les Mendiants (lemon Cream And Nut Cookies) Recipe

-LEMON CREAM-
3 Eggs
1 2/3 c Sugar
11 oz Unsalted butter, softened
3 Lemons, juiced and zests
-grated

TOPPING
35 Prunes, pitted and halved
3 oz Whole almonds, toasted
3 oz Hazelnuts, toasted
6 oz Walnut halves
6 oz Raisins, soaked in rum until
-plump, and drained
70 1-inch pieces candied
-orange peel

The colors the fruits used in the cookies suggest those of the robes forn
by the four ordres mendiants, monastic orders that originally lived on
charity — the Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans and Franciscans.

Torte Pastry: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, cream
together butter and sugar until light. In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg. Pour
1/2 of the whisked egg into butter and sugar mixture, reserving the
remaining half for another use. Add the remaining whole egg and blend
mixture well. Remove paddle and replace with a dough hook. Add flour,
mixing thoroughly. Form dough into a ball, wrap in waxed paper and
refrigerate 2 hours.

Roll dough out to a thickness of slightly more than 1/8 inch. Cut dough
into 35 1 1/2-inch ovals with pointed ends and place on ungreased cookie
sheets. Bake in a preheated 350F oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until cookies
are a light caramel color. Lemon Cream: In a small saucepan over
medium-high heat combine eggs, sugar, butter, lemon juice and lemon zest.
Bring mixture to a goil, stirring continually with a wooden spoon. Boil
gently for 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a bowl, cover and chill
thoroughly. Assemble: Spread each cookie with 1 heaping tablespoon of lemon
cream and top with 2 prun halves, 2 almonds, 2 hazelnuts, 2 walnut halves,
7 raisins and 2 pieces candied orange peel. Makes approximately 35 cookies.