COOKIE & TART RECIPE FOR JANUARY: WALNUT BUTTER BALLS AND WALNUT BUTTER TARTS

Here are 2 great and simple recipes for the winter months, perfect for tea time or morning coffee, you may use pecans or chopped walnuts or any chopped raw nut on hand.


WALNUT BUTTER BALLS (this can be made Vegan by substituting Vegan Margarine for the butter)
Very similar to a Mexican Wedding Cakes

Makes 24 +

1 cup room temp butter
2 cups all purpose ( or 50:50 all purpose  and whole wheat)
1tbsp vanilla extract*
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cups chopped raw nuts

Powdered sugar to roll the cookie in once baked


Method: Preheat oven 350F  and use ungreased cookie sheets
 
Beat the butter until light and fluffy, then beat in the sugar and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour and salt, mix very well.
Stir in the the chopped nuts and mix very well.
Roll into balls the size of walnuts.
Bake for 15-18 mins be very careful they burn easily, they just have to be light golden. 
Cool slightly on cookie sheet then when able to handle them, roll in powdered sugar.

Store in air tight tin/container

* if using chopped almonds add almond extract

If using 50:50 flour mix, add 2tbsp milk

RICH WALNUT BUTTER TARTS ..makes 24 small tarts or 12 larger

bake in tart tins or 1 3/4 inch muffin cups

3ozs cream cheese at room temp
1/2 cup butter also at room temp.
1 cup flour ( may use 50:50) 
Blend cream cheese and butter well.
Mix in the flour, wrap in waxed paper and chill for 1 hour.

After chilling, roll into 24 small balls, place in bottom of muffin cups and press well into  bottom and side of cup ( this is too difficult to roll as it is very tender).

When all are filled, set aside and proceed with the filling,


PREHEAT OVEN 325F
1 large egg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1tbsp soft butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
 pinch of sea salt
2/3 cup broken raw nuts 

Beat the egg, sugar, butter, salt and vanilla well to  combine well.
Then place half the nuts in the lined muffin cups/tart pans.
Add the egg mix and top with remaining chopped nuts
Bake in oven FOR 25 MINS.
Remove from oven and cool in pans, then very carefully remove from pans and serve.

This recipe can make a large tart, in this case roll the pastry out between sheets of wax paper, dusted with  powdered sugar,  as it is very tender.
Bake for longer until filling is firm to touch.

These are perfect finished with either a bitter chocolate sauce or a rum-butter sauce

QUICK AND EASY IDEAS FOR WINTER HOLIDAY DESSERTS

Now is the time to pack some of your dried fruit in hard liquor for the Winter Holidays.

It has long been a custom in Western Europe, to soak dried fruit and this way, it is low sugar and has many uses.

For 1 pound dried fruit:

Wash in warm water and then allow to drain.
If the fruit is large ( apricots, pitted dates or prunes, then snip into bite sized pieces with kitchen scissors).
Pack into a clean jelly/jam jar and top with hard liquor (Rum, Whisky, Brandy, Bourbon), tightly cap and shake to remove any trapped air pockets.

Store in a cool place and shake the jar on a daily basis.

After 2 weeks ( minimum) serve with ice cream , top fruit cakes or fruited steamed puddings,  bake in a pie with apples, use in any cookie recipe that requires dried fruit,..OR

Heat  the fruit and liquor in a clean skillet, then, when it is hot enough set alight then serve immediately in either  the skillet or a hot chaffing dish.
The idea is that people try to pick up the lighted fruit before the flames go out and without burning themselves..a Victorian Children game called "Snapdragons".


Hints and Variations:
There is no need to add any sugar but you may add liquid honey after 2 weeks.
Add any raw nuts to the fruit mix
You may use any combination of fruit, just don't mix the hard liquors.
This is a wonderful way for prunes, as they become very rich and deep flavored.

 

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE, RUM RAISIN, FUDGE MELTAWAYS..cookies to please SANTA......COOKIE OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER

These are a "throw back" to the good old days of metal lunch pails and cookies for Santa.
Make a batch and Santa will forgive any naughty cook..and so will any other chocolate lover.
Unlike the original recipe which used Graham crackers, I am using chocolate wafers/chocolate cookies, also try and use a good quality dark chocolate, NOT baking chocolate.

this make a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan and there is NO Baking.

BASE/CRUST

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups chopped dark chocolate OR semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup cane sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg beaten ( the heat from the chocolate will "cook" the egg.)
3 cups chocolate flavored cookie crumbs* (place the cookies in a sealable plastic bag and smash or roll with a rolling pin to fine crumbs)

* Use any rich cookie but not chocolate coated, all butter shortbread works wonderfully.
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut ( unsweetened if possible) or chopped raw nuts
1/4 tsp sea salt

MELT THE BUTTER AND SUGAR IN A HEAVY BOTTOMED PAN OVER VERY LOW HEAT.

Meanwhile mix and blend together all the other ingredients and then gradually add the melted chocolate-butter mix.
Mix with hands to combine everything well.
Press into the buttered pan, covering the base and 1/2 inch up the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and chill.

THE FILLING:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup cream
3 cups confectioner's/icing/powdered sugar
1 cup raisins soaked in real rum, well drained (soak overnight)
3 tsp rum from the soaked raisins


Cream the butter until light and fluffy and gradually add the sugar, alternatively with the cream and rum.
Fold in the raisins, then spread this over the crumb base and chill for 2 hours

The TOPPING
melt 2 cups dark chopped chocolate or 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips, over very low heat in heavy bottomed pan.
Spread over the filling and do not cover, chill for 2-3 hours, then cover with wax paper and chill overnight.

Next day cut into pieces and serve cold.

These are perfect as a treat, something to serve on the ski slopes, by the fireplace for Santa..keep well hidden or the taste testing elves WILL devour. Also despite what the elves might tell you, these are NOT a food group.

VARIATIONS:
Use ANY good cookie.
Add any chopped nuts...roasted no salt are great too.
Replace the rum raisins with any dried fruit and add milk and or vanilla extract in place of the rum.
Instead of vanilla extract try almond or mint.

For any Vegans, omit the egg and use vegan margarine, and chocolate, also use nut milk in place of cream

FOR SUMMER  add fresh berries to the melted chocolate, before chilling overnight.

TO MY READERSHIP IN PARIS AND THE WORLD

Sending all my love and light to a City so close to my heart, This weekend WE ARE ALL FRENCH!

JOHN NIGEL

HONEY-WALNUT CHEESECAKE. GLOBALLY ADJUSTABLE RECIPE..One of the most excellent cheesecakes on the planet

This is one of the simplest and yet most decadent cheesecakes on the planet..enjoy...there will be no leftovers, ever!!


This recipe makes a  small  9 1/2 inch round cheesecake.
if you double the recipe keep the cheesecake pans the same and make 2 x 9 1/2 inch Cheesecakes.


 Cut a piece of parchment the same size as the base of the pan, and another 2 inches wide strip to go round the sides of a spring form  baking pan.


The crust
In a small bowl mix the following together:

1 cup raw wheat germ
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts ( not chopped fine as walnut flour)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

 Stir in the following, melted
1/4 cup dairy butter or coconut butter/oil


Mix well to form a crumble and then layer it in the prepared pan and use fingers to mold  up the sides approx 1 1/2 inches forming the surrounding crust, then tamp the rest over the base of the pan.

Keep hands less sticky by dipping in water and shaking off excess, before molding the base.

Set aside the base.

PREHEAT OVEN 325F MIDDLE SHELF
The filling:

1 1/2 pounds room temp. cream cheese
1/2 cup warmed honey
2 large eggs at room temp
pinch of sea salt
1tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon juice

Whip everything together to form a smooth custard.
Gently fill the  raw crust, and fill evenly.
Place the cheesecake on a lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 mins.
 Remove from the oven and gently pour over the topping (recipe follows).

Topping:
1 cup plain live yogurt
2 tbsp runny honey at room temp.
Whip together then spread evenly on top of the cheese cake and bake a further 5-10 mins more.
Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheet on wire rack.
When cold enough remove from cookie sheet, well wrap and place in fridge overnight before cutting, use a sharp serrated knife.
Remove the cheesecake from the pan before cutting.

Variations:
use any raw nut of choice

add some chopped walnuts to the custard before baking (they will sink to the bottom)

drizzle with more runny honey or offer it as you serve the cheesecake.

 

ALL BUTTER, WHOLE WHEAT, SESAME SEED COOKIES easy recipe makes 24 large flat cookies

These are wonderful, light and thin mouthfuls of yumminess.
I prefer to lightly toast the raw hulled sesame seeds, then cool them down before adding to the mix, this adds another layer of flavor.
Also it is a MUST that you use fresh unsalted butter. They are just NOT the same made with shortening or margarine and vanilla extract.
So when you feel like splurging a little, these are the ones to make.


This recipe makes 24 large flat golden cookies, also the recipe is best NOT doubled.

1 cup unsalted  butter (2 sticks)

1 cup honey or golden syrup

2 cups hulled and lightly toasted sesame seeds (toast in a dry skillet over medium high heat until they turn golden, not brown, then remove and cool on cold cookie sheet.)

 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2tsp grated lemon zest ( zest from 1 lemon, slice the remainder of the lemon for use in hot tea)

PREHEAT OVEN 350F

Cream the butter, until light and fluffy.
Beat in the honey ( best at room temp. DO NOT HEAT THE HONEY)
Then gently but firmly beat in the sesame seeds and flour.
Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
Do not spread down and leave 2 inches between the cookies as they spread as they bake.
Bake 15-20 mins or until the edges  are browned and the middle is golden.
Remove from oven and cool slightly on sheet (these are very tender and delicate cookies so be careful, use a spatula to remove from sheet) before transferring to wire rack.
Store (yeah right you will have some left to store!!)
In an air tight container.

They are perfect with a glass of cold milk or lemon tea.

 

VEGAN, WHOLE WHEAT APPLE (fruit) THUMBPRINT COOKIES/APRICOT-ALMOND BARS/RICH PIE CRUST...3 RECIPE IDEAS IN ONE!!

Here is a wonderful Fall-Winter "multi purpose" VEGAN cookie recipe that can also be used as a pie pastry by adding 1/2 cup more flour, or made into bars and topped with either apple butter or apricot almond butter*

(In USA fruit butters contain no fat and are simply a fresh fruit sauce that has  been, simmered to concentrate the flavors, in place of sugar, use unsweetened fruit juices to compliment the fruit used).


BASIC RECIPE:

1/2 cup vegan margarine
1/4 tsp sea salt
 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil (safflower, sunflower & etc.)
1/4 cup molasses, maple or agave syrup
2 cups whole wheat flour (whole wheat pastry flour if you can find it)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract ( if making an apricot-almond bar cookie then subs. almond extract)
1/2 tsp baking powder


Method:

Cream the margarine with the molasses, then beat in the the rest of the ingredients.
Set aside and allow to rest for 10 mins.
Meanwhile heat oven 350F
 Grease cookie sheets/pans

For apple drop cookies

Drop by tbsp. onto greased cookie sheets.
Press down slightly with tines of a fork.
Press a hole in the top of each cookie and fill with apple butter.
Bake middle oven for 25-35 mins until golden brown

Variation: in place of  fruit butter, omit the hole and just sprinkle with chopped nuts before baking (for this recipe you may also add and ground spice and or chopped dried fruit).
 In place of fruit butter use any jam or preserve.
SEASONAL VARIATION: A great own made preserve is to cook crystalized ginger pieces with fresh pumpkin or squash, and apple juice and simmer down to a jam-like texture, PROCESS UNTIL SMOOTH...maybe add some ground cinnamon or allspice or Pumpkin spice. ( be careful for this not to be too wet when adding to the cookies or bar pastry)

For apricot-almond bars

Press the dough into a greased 9 x 9 inch brownie pan or 10inch circular pan.
Precook for 10 mins. or until golden brown
( for topping soak dried apricots in black tea, overnight, then, drain and puree with 1/4tsp almond extract OR cook soaked dried apricots in fruit juice until soft and tender, then puree with almond extract)
Spread this over the precooked base.
Sprinkle with chopped almonds.
Bake for further 30 mins  or until golden brown and bubbly.
Chill in pan and cut into bars when cool enough to handle.

Variations:
Use any fruit butter or puree of choice.
Makes a great, rich fruit pie base.
For Vegetarian replace the margarine with butter and you may add honey in place of molasses.