TOMATO SAUCE +

Onion, garlic, olive oil, can tomatoes, tomato puree or sun dried, pepper, sugar (pinch) and depending on meal – red wine.

Cook onion gently for 10 mins, add toms and garlic and simmer to reduce to a sauce. Also add herbs of choice or a little chilly.

Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies)

Ingredients send grocery list
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger (be generous)
  • 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon allspice (if you have it)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to your liking)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • egg
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon water
Directions
  1. In a medium bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. 
  2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together, then add egg, maple syrup, and water. Beat until fluffy. 
  3. Mix in dry ingredients about 1/2 cup at a time slowly, so the dough doesn’t get too stiff.
  4. Remove from the bowl and form a big ball. Separate into quarters and refrigerate, covered, for 2 to 6 hours. 
  5. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350° F. 
  6. Working with 1/4 of dough at a time, roll out the dough (I like to do this between plastic, but you can also use a floured surface), until it is about 1/8-inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on parchment-lined cookie sheets. 
  7. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, but watch the first batch carefully! You want the cookies to get toasty and golden, not too dark.

COOK BOOKS

I have a few! But will state that these are my tops. Firstly a book I cannot open without wishing to cook the recipe on the page (and no photos) – so must be my Number 1 “New Complete Vegetarian – Rose Elliot”. And I am not vegetarian! But a brilliant xmas present for those with veggie tendencies – Rose Elliot is the Queen of Veggies.

Next are a couple of Jamie Oliver’s, “Cook with Jamie” and “Super Food Family Classic’s”. Then “Completely Perfect – Felicity Cloake”. I will add to this.

BAKLAVA

First attempt approved by Aaron and Jamie – I had never had it before so well pleased. Might be some available on request tomorrow morning at Sandford Stores.