| 1 | Using a food processor or a food chopper fitted with a medium blade, grind together the dried fruit and nuts. |
| 2 | Turn into a medium-size pan and add the sugar, water, lemon or orange peel, lemon juice and spices (if called for). |
| 3 | Place over medium heat and cook, stirring until mixture boils and becomes very thick (5 to 8 minutes). |
| 4 | Mine never did really "boil", it was more like dry frying. |
| 5 | Let cool completely. |
| 6 | Divide the cookie dough into 2 equal portions; refrigerate ?until ready to use. |
| 7 | On a floured surface, roll out ?of the dough to a straight-edged 9 x 15-inch rectangle, cut lengthwise into three strips. |
| 8 | This wasn"t that easy to do, that is, until i figured out that my board was exactly 15-inches wide. |
| 9 | I rolled the dough the width of the board and measured 9-inches across using my long ruler. |
| 10 | I held the ruler against the sides and used my fingers to press the dough into it. |
| 11 | This is the hardest part of making these cookies. |
| 12 | Divide cooked fruit filling into 6 equal portions (for the apricots it worked out to ?cup per portion) and evenly distribute one portion down center of each strip, bringing it out to the ends. |
| 13 | Using a long spatula, lift sides of each dough strip over filling, overlapping edges slightly on top. |
| 14 | ****original posters notes: i found this was hard to do so i cut each strip in half, then draped the dough over the filling--it never did overlap but that"s ok. |
| 15 | Press together lightly. |
| 16 | Cut strips in half crosswise (i did that earlier on); lift and invert onto greased baking sheets (seam side should be down. |
| 17 | Brush off excess flour with a pastry brush. |
| 18 | Refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until the balance of the cookies are made. |
| 19 | Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. |
| 20 | Let cool on baking sheets on a rack for about 10 minutes; then cut each strip crosswise into 4 pieces. |
| 21 | Transfer cookies to racks and let cool completely. |
| 22 | Store covered. |
| 23 | The cookies keep well, becoming softer and more flavorful after they have stood at least 1 day. |
| 24 | Makes 4 dozen food & wine rt [*] category 4, topic 3 message 234°Fri may 21, 1993 cookie-lady [cookie] at 10:49 edt formatted for mm:dianee |
