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Melopita (Honey and Cheese Pie)

This ricotta cheese-filled honey pie is perfect to serve on both Shavuot and Rosh HaShanah. But most of all, it is a reminder of the Jewish community in Greece. Enjoy!
CRUST
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick very cold, unsalted butter
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon brandy or lemon juice
1 tablespoon ice water
Confectioners sugar (for rolling dough)
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FILLING
15 ounce container whole milk ricotta
3 eggs
1/2 cup wildflower or orange blossom honey
Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons sugar
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GARNISH
cinnamon (optional for garnish)

Italian Cheesecake

Made with the ricotta instead of cream cheese and sour cream, this recipe definitely hails from close to the Mediterranean.
CRUST:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
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FILLING:
1 pound ricotta cheese
1/2 pound cream cheese
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
2 eggs
4 egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained

Quick Honey Cake

One summer, I went to the store and no honey cakes could be found. What to do? I combined a standard gingerbread cake mix with some main ingredients in honey cake - coffee and honey - and an easy, quick honey cake was born! 

¾ cup warm coffee (or ¾ cup water with 1 teaspoon instant espresso)
¼ cup honey
14.5-ounce box gingerbread mix
Eggs, as needed in mix
Oil or margarine as needed in mix

Vegan Blueberry Blintzes

A vegan or plant-based diet is one that is free from all animal products. Vegan foods are pareve by nature - without dairy or meat. 

CREPES
Dry:
1 Cup white spelt flour
⅛ Teaspoon sea salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
¼ Teaspoon baking soda
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Wet:
1 Cup soy milk
¼ Cup water
2 Tablespoons vegan butter
½ Teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
Oil for the crepes
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FILLING
7 ounces extra firm tofu
8 ounces vegan cream cheese
2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 Tablespoons tahini
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ Cup organic sugar
¼ Teaspoon sea salt
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BLUEBERRY SAUCE
8 ounces frozen or fresh blueberries
½ Cup water (add ¼ Cup more water if using fresh blueberries)
2 Tablespoons organic sugar, or to taste
1/8 Teaspoon ground cardamom
1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water

Blintzes

It is not clear why blintzes are associated with Shavuot. Some say it is because they contain cheese and others because two blintzes on a plate side by side look like a Torah scroll. Whatever the theory, blintzes are great to eat on Shavuot or anytime.

DOUGH:
2 large eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
Pinch of salt
1 cup flour
Butter for frying
Sour cream
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FILLING:
7.5 ounce package farmer cheese
8 ounces cream cheese
3 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
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