Pyshka is a sweet roll, baked or deep-fried, with or without filling, made with yeast or as a quick bread, i.e. yeast-less. Sort of a Russian doughnut with a Polish name (most sources derive the name from Polish pączek – sweet roll). Another theory attributes the name to Russian pykchat’ which is archaic for deep-frying, but since the method of deep-frying was not discovered in Russia until 1835 (www.pekari.ru), while pyshki had been frequent already on Ivan the Terrible’s table three hundred years earlier, as recorded in the palace kitchen accounts, this one does not hold water. Neither does the legend about a Dutch captain Gregory Hanson (is that a Dutch name? Curious!) who never let a sweet roll out of his hand until one day, during a violent storm, the waters were so turbulent that he had to grab the wheel with both hands, so he pinned the roll onto one of the spokes of the wheel, and thus a doughnut was born. If you believe this one, I have a nice little bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
For the record, pyshka is NOT a doughnut! Without getting into a pyshka vs ponchik debate, I’ll just state that the latter is definitely made with yeast and fried in oil; therefore, that’s a doughnut, no matter what you call it. My humble pyshka, however, is made with prostokvasha (clabbered milk, for recipe click here) and baked.
Before we get to the recipe, though, I want to introduce you, Beautiful People, to Pyshka the kitten. This is how she came into our lives exactly a month ago (please click on the link below to read about her harrowing escape, then come back for the recipe):
https://katzenworld.co.uk/2017/07/23/baby-criminal-bailed
The reason for the name was her color – she looked like a delicious sweet roll right out of the oven!
All you need is some flour, sifted and mixed with baking powder, a pinch of salt, and sugar or xylitol, and a cup of prostokvasha gradually added to the dry ingredients and gently mixed in. For our purposes, white spelt flour is gluten free, but if you have an allergy or celiac disorder, do consult your doctor. My home made prostokvasha is non-dairy; you can use store bought coconut kefir, if you don’t want to bother, or use dairy kefir / buttermilk, if you don’t mind dairy products.
Turn your dough onto a well-floured board or working surface and gently kneed. It will be extremely soft and will stick to your fingers. In short, it will be as unruly as a curious baby kitten, but you’ll deal with it as best as you can by constantly dipping your hands in flour. Don’t over-kneed it, as you want it soft and airy. Flatten your dough and cut circles. Place them on a lightly misted with oil baking sheet and bake them at 450 F for about 25 – 30 minutes.
While sweet pyshki are resting in the oven, little Pyshka is resting on the coach.
When they reach her color, they are ready. Remove them and dust them with xylitol or powdered sugar while still hot.
I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t insert chocolate somewhere, even just a few drops of chocolate syrup on the plate. As you see, pyshki are golden brown and crispy on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside, with those hollow spaces – a true hallmark of good quick breads. Looking at baby Pyshka who bears an uncanny resemblance to my husband’s baby pictures – same golden coloring, same bright inquisitive green eyes – and watching my husband sneak a bite of a hot pyshka set up to be photographed is the best of both worlds!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup prostokvasha room temperature (alternative dairy or non-dairy kefir / buttermilk)
- 11/2 cup spelt or GF flour and more to kneed
- 1 tablespoon xylitol or sugar and more to dust
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
PROCEDURE
- Preheat oven to 450 F. Lightly mist baking sheet with oil.
- Sift dry ingredients together. Gradually add prostokvasha while gently mixing. Turn onto generously floured board, kneed softly. Dough will be very soft, almost like batter.
- Flatten dough to 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) thickness, cut circles, place on oiled baking sheet. No distance necessary.
- Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until golden brown. Remove, dust with xylitol or powdered sugar while hot.
- Best served hot, but could be reheated in oven or microwave.
Enjoy!
Loved this post!! (of course) It’s wonderful to meet Pyshka and I loved the recipe too 💕😸xxx
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Thank you so much, Samantha! I am so glad you liked it!
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Interesting! The name pyshka is similar to piškot in Czech (Česky). My grandfather used to use the word in reference to a biscuit or similar dessert. This site lists a few things that would qualify as a piškot https://glosbe.com/cs/en/pi%C5%A1kot.
Your pyshki look delicious! I’ll bet the kefir/buttermilk gives them a terrific flavour — will have to try one of these day! I love the kitten. I bet Pyshka is just as sweet.
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How interesting that in Czech, it is something based on a pound cake type of batter, rather than dough. I guess in Slavic languages the word just moved throughout the ages, from one dessert to another.
Kefir is the leavening agent here, instead of yeast, although there are yeast-based pyshka recipes. And baby Pyshka is the sweetest!
Thank you for your lovely comment, dear Eva!
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[ Smiles ] I have a feeling that the kitten does the quality control taste testing.
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Together with my husband…
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Pyshka is a nice name for a kitten.
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Thank you – we think it fits her!
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Love Pyska’s color. Recipe looks really delicious.
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Thank you so much, dear, I am so glad you like it!
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Nice post
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Thank you so much, dear Shriya, I am so glad you like it!
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My pleasure …. and I like reading your blogs
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As I do yours, dear!
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😊😊
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🙂
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Yummy! And Pyshka looks as if she’s ready to be serenaded
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Oh, this baby is ready for anything – fearless and adventurous!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
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You’re a sweetheart
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From a sweetheart hearing!
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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You are welcome!
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The cookies look delicious. I can see why you named the little kitties after them. She’s so cute, and so lucky! 🙂
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Thank you, Ronit! And on behalf of little Pyshka, thank you for compliment!
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🙂
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🙂
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hello pyshka its dennis the vizsla dog hay those pyshki do luk sweet but not as sweet as yoo!!! ok bye
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Awww you such a great big friend! Purrrr
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Pyshka is such a beautiful girl! And no wonder your husband had to sneak a bite!
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Thank you, Elizabeth! Oh, she is so sweet – sweeter than those rolls!
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Little Pyshka is so cute. I nominated you for the Unique Blogger Award. I hope you enjoy it. Here is the link https://gypsybus28.com/2017/07/24/the-unique-blogger-award/.
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Thank you so much, dear Jen! Thank you for nominating me – I am truly honored!
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Your little Pyshka is adorable and I bet those baked pastries are delicious.
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Thank you so much! I am so glad you like both!
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Looks so delicious!! Easiest recipe for Pyshka😍
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Thank you so much – Pyshka agrees! 🙂
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😊
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🙂
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Awh Pyshka is so adorable. I’m a cat lover too. And I loved the recipe, sounds delish 😊
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Thank you so much, dear Myra!
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Pyshka is a nice name for a kitten, I so loved it. Those baked pastries are looking yummy and delicious. Beautiful post.
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Thank you so much, dear Kamal! I am so glad you like it!
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Welcome dear and your post sure was
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🙂
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She is absolutely gorgeous! I want one too 🙂
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Thank you, on behalf of little Pyshka!
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Awww Garfield…..sooo happy😊😊🤗🤗🤗
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On behalf of little Pyshka who hasn’t learned to meow yet, thank you dear friend Garfield! I play with Garfield toy on Mama’s bed all the time!
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I find your posts delightful! The historical tidbits add spice and flavor. But the phrase “All you need is…” always makes me laugh. You see, in my kitchen that might as well say “All you need is…a miracle!” I have a plaque that reads “I kiss better than I cook” and a prayer thanking God for frozen foods (LOL). Glad you adopted the little criminal. 🙂
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Dear Anna, I love your plaques, both of them!
But when I say “All you need…” I don’t necessarily mean “in your kitchen” – one could run out to a store, presumably. Although I have just remembered a line from a Stalin’s era cookbook my mother OBM had: “If you have unexpected guests, don’t despair. Open a jar of caviar…” Apparently, poor workers or peasants were supposed to have caviar in their pantry. And during those times, “unexpected guests” had a different, sinister meaning…
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We always thought they were dougnuts. Wow we learned even more today. More great recipes and information. Oh and by the way we loved the stuffed pepper recipe. You are awesome. My Mom would have agreed.
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Thank you so much guys for your kind words, and thank you for mentioning your Mom – I am honored!
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You are welcome Dolly. Yes, my mom was such a good cook and loved creating new and preparing ole time favorites. There is something special about cooks like her and you. Its like you just know the right flavorings to add to a meal. Its a gift you have and we benefit.
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Thank you so much – I am blushing all over the internet! It’s my grandmother who had the gift, and I guess some of her magic rubbed off on me, since I was the only girl and was constantly hanging around the kitchen.
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We’re sure glad you hung around there and paid attention and are no able to pass it along in such an easy manner. Keep it up.
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I definitely will – this is my fun in life!
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Great!
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mouthwatering 🙂
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Thank you, dear, I am so glad you like it!
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A new recipe AND a kitten ~ This post is divine xx
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Thank you so much, dear Christy, I am so glad you like it!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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Cute Little kitty… She is absolutely adorable❤ Your recipe look delicious as well – Can’t wait to try it!!
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Thank you so much, dear, I am so glad you like it! 😸
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I am pleased to inform you that I have nominated you for Leibster Award. Please have a look at it :- https://divinespice.com/2017/07/25/liebster-award-blue-sky-tag-award/
Many Thanks!
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Thank you so much for this lovely surprise, dear Nithya! I am honored and overwhelmed!
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I was worried for a moment – pastries made with kittens??? Both Pyshka’s look beautiful. I can smell your cooking….aaah!
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LOL Got you for a moment, didn’t I? Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
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You are most welcome!
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🙂
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Great article and recipe! And of course, a very, very cute kitten. I loved the story of how the cop brought her to you.
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Thank you for your lovely comment! Nezumi is simply gorgeous, and she is not the only one who loves lettuce; I always have to hide it from Barmalei, the Main Chief Cat of the house.
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Ha ha ha, that’s so funny. And Nezumi says thank you.
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Meows and purrs to Nezumi from Barmalei, Beba, and baby Pyshka! 😻
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Love your kitten! and the sweet roll looks tasty too!
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Thank you so much, dear, for your lovely comment!
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Looks yummy!
My youngest named her pet hamster, Danish, because she looked like a Danish roll.
So glad your Pyshka now has a new home!
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Thank you so much! Danish is a cute name – same idea LOL
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You’re welcome!
Yes, it is!
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🙂
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I sent this Pyshka link to my daughter, and she says it looks delicious.
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Thank you, dear Eva! Who looks delicious, the rolls or the kitty?
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The rolls would be delicious. The kitty would be cuddle-icous.
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LOL 😻
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Awwwwwww……KITTEN. 😍
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She is soooo sweet! 😸
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Give that cat a cuddle for me, will you? And thanks for the recipe. I’m tempted, even though I’ve cut down on baking treats.
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Thank you so much, Ellen! She is undergoing “the procedure” right now, and I am on pins and needles! 😻
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Understood. For whatever it’s worth, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
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Thank you – I hope so!
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WHAT a darling – glad I went back for this post!
xx,
mgh
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Oh she is beyond cute, but such a little rascal! She had her “procedure” yesterday, and today she is already jumping around and running like nothing happened.
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Whew! Right? I was a nervous wreck when Tink got fixed. It took him a few days to be back to his old self, and I was sooooo relieved to see it.
xx,
mgh
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Pyshka was jumping out of her skin in a couple of hours. This baby girl is like the Energizer Bunny! We had to keep her isolated from the big guys and their litter box for a day, but she kept trying to break out of “prison.” Very loud protests, too!
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She’ll rule the roost, right? The rest of you simply won’t have the energy to keep up. lol
xx,
mgh
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She doesn’t rule much; Barmalei is still the feline authority around here, but she exhausts him, as well as all of us. She has the temerity to answer him back when he tries to discipline her!
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Since I am so allergic to cats, I don’t know much about kittens, but I do know that puppies tend to calm down once they are a bit older – at least Shih Tzu puppies do. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I’ll be she keeps you laughing.
xx,
mgh
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She is not the first cat in this house, and no other cat has ever been a moving fuzzy blur! They all did things, certainly, as all kids do, but not with so much energy and incredible speed.
She is hilarious, definitely.
I didn’t know you were allergic to cats, but we’ll deal with this issue when you are finally ready to come for a visit.
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Allergy pills. I can’t stay on them for long enough to LIVE with a cat, but they make it possible for me to spend time with my friends with felines — as long as I don’t pet them (unless I thoroughly wash my hands **immediately** afterwards and don’t touch my face).
Believe it or not, it used to be MUCH worse. There was a time when just a bit of cat hair on their clothing and I started sneezing repeatedly within 5 minutes (mostly happened at movies, so I learned to ask before I sat down). I am SO happy that those days are behind me.
So I love cats from “afar.” I don’t *ever* want to have to rehome a kitten because I can’t breathe AGAIN! I’m sure you can imagine how awful that was. Brigitta was her name, named after the “mouthy” one in Sound of Music, which my college roomie played – cast with the kids because she was/is 4’10” tall.
I’m also allergic to most dogs, btw. That’s why I stick to Shih Tzus — one breed I know I adore and have learned I can live with!
My first was back in grad school and was sort of a “loaner” for a 7-day trial. I kept that little tiny furball right up next to my face as often as possible, and of course I fell in love at first sight or I wouldn’t even have tried it!
So when we learned that she could stay and I could breath I was ecstatic. I’ve been a Shih Tzu mom ever since.
xx, mgh
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My son (the one in Boston) is also allergic to cats, and meds do help when he visits. Allergies to animals have a way of coming and going, though, and also lessening and worsening, so you never know – you might be rid of it by the time you make it down here!
BTW, I am bursting at the seems with pride: my adopted son has just gotten accepted into a graduate Mental Health Counseling program!
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Congrats to you both. I’m currently in Live Chat trying to fix a long-standing problem, so no time to say more.
xx,
mgh
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Good luck!
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BIG hassle just solved (turns out it was a conflict with the Pinterest button, solved by disabling it.) They were actually amazingly helpful.
Still waiting for a response to my last question. They have to deal with more than one “helpee” at a time, apparently, but it’s still a MUCH faster resolution than waiting for email back and forth support.
xx,
mgh
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I am very happy for you, truly!
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Thanks. It has been driving me nuts for months, so I have my fingers crossed that this solved it for good.
I don’t know how those Happiness Engineers stay sane as they man the help lines every day! It would drive me over the edge in a week or less.
xx,
mgh
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I will refer you back to Myers-Briggs personality inventories: it’s in their makeup to serve others.
P.S. How do you type with crossed fingers? Is Tink helping?
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FINALLY got the video to play on Katzenworld. Fur-babies are SO funny when they play, aren’t they. Ready to conquer the world one minute, running for the cover of a nearby chair the next. Reminded me of Tink’s baby puppy days.
Loved the recipe too, Dolly – but I’m afraid little Pyshka stole your thunder – lol.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Who cares about the thunder – I wanted to explain the name.
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And introduce your adorable baby, of course. Still, the recipe does look good, so it deserved a mention. Had a laugh over the comment that thought, on a quick first read of the title, that the kitten might be part of the recipe. LOL!!!
xx,
mgh
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Ummm… Reading Comprehension holds a record for highest enrollment among college remedial courses…
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lol
xx, mgh
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😻
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Love this post!
Please visit my blog and check out my latest post too 😊
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Thank you for your lovely comment, dear Simmone! I really like your blog and will follow. Looking forward to more interesting posts from you!
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Thank you! 😊
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😻
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Congratulations on your new kitten, so adorable.
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Thank you so much!
Meows, purrs, and a squeak from baby Pyshka! 😸
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Reblogged this on koolkosherkitchen and commented:
I am happy to report, Beautiful People, that little Pyshka the kitten is now 18 months old and thriving. Just as mischievous as any healthy toddler, she is also big and strong, and a source of constant delight and amusement.
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They remind me of the bunuelo’s my mother used to make. It’s like a leavened tortilla dough and made thicker, hence pretty much the same ingredients . Only she dusted them with a cinnamon and granulated sugar mixture. In South America some use the same dough and method to stuff them with a meat filling or at least that’s what a friend of mine said when I offered her one. She expected a meat pie of sorts and of course no sugar. I find it interesting how some recipes from different parts of the world merge.
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Yes, I’ve also seen bunuelos with meat filling; that’s how they are sold here in South American cafeterias. Thank you so much for your comment!
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Pyshka is adorable. your recipe sounds yummy!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, dear Patricia! 😻
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Oh how wonderful thaws must smell and taste! Adorable kitten!
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Thank you for a lovely comment, dear Koko! 😻
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Looks quite delicious! As a Dutchman I didn’t know this Gregory Hanson either, so I had to google him and found an American captain named Hanson Gregory, who apparently invented the hole in the doughnut. Is that the one you meant?
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/american-seaman-captain-hanson-gregory-claimed-to-have-put-the-hole-in-the-doughnut/news-story/7344d51c70ef5be4102f58250e453987
Cheers,
Micky
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That’s the one, Micky. I still think of it as a myth, but a cute one.
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Haha yeah some myths just shouldn’t be busted. 😀
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Makes life more interesting, right? 😻
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Definitely… A little mystery is more interesting than when everything is clear and explainable.
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A lovely reason for the name
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Thank you so much, Derrick, and Pyshka is just as adorable now, but a little troublemaker, like any healthy toddler.
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Hi little Pyshka! How cute that you look like Daddy!
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She really does, doesn’t she? A little troublemaker is what she is, like any healthy toddler.
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lol, I know exactly what ya mean!
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