ORANGE CURRANT NOODLE KUGEL

Orange Currant Noodle Kugel image

Yield Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish or dessert

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup currants
1 1/3 cups sour cream
1 1/3 cups cottage cheese
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound wide egg noodles
1 large Granny Smith apple
1/3 cup sliced blanched almonds

Steps:

In a small bowl soak currants in hot water to cover 5 minutes and drain well.
In a blender blend together sour cream, cottage cheese, eggs, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, zest, vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter a 2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish.
In a kettle of salted boiling water cook noodles until just tender, about 5 minutes, and drain well. Peel apple and grate coarse into a bowl. Add noodles and toss with sour cream mixture and currants. Transfer mixture to prepared dish.
In a small bowl stir together remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and almonds and sprinkle evenly over kugel. Drizzle top with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Bake kugel in middle of oven 40 to 45 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.