Christmas Poppyseed Noodles {Kluski z makiem}

Place raisins in a container and cover with warm water. Set aside to soak.

Place poppyseeds in a medium saucepan and add enough warm water to cover, set aside to soak for about 10 minutes, then boil for 20-25 minutes. Add a bit more water, if they get dry, enough to cover. After 25 minutes, drain well.

Fill a medium-large pot with water, add a teaspoon of salt and a splash of oil and bring to boil.

In the meantime, make dumplings by combining all ingredients in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer and mix with a hook attachment. If you are working by hand, mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

When combined, transfer onto a clean, floured surface (preferably a large cutting board) and knead until smooth. Roll out with a rolling pin and cut into strips (a pizza cutter works great!) and then diagonally (see photo above).

Sprinkle dumplings with flour and, with a help of your knife, lift them off of your surface, so they do not stick together (see photo above). When water is boiling, slide them off your cutting board into the pot and IMMEDIATELY stir gently, we don't want them clumping together. Turn heat down and let simmer until dumplings float to the top. Drain and set aside to cool.

Now, we will work on the poppyseeds. Once they cool slightly you will have to put them through a meat grinder with the fine grinding plate - TWICE!

Once you've done that, place ground poppyseeds in a medium pot, add: water (1 cup / 250 ml), honey, and a pinch of salt, and also water from soaking raisins. Simmer on low until water evaporates. Lastly, add butter and stir to melt and incorporate.

Transfer poppyseed mixture to a large bowl, add raisins, walnuts and dumplings. Mix to combine. Dish can be served cold or warm.