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December 2013 Volume 13, Issue #3
1/2 C butter or margarine 1 C dark molasses 2-1/2 C unbleached flour 1-1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. nutmeg Pinch of salt 1 C sour cream Whipped cream for garnish
Grease and flour a 9x9 baking pan. Melt the butter over medium heat in a small pan; add the molasses. Mix well to combine. Remove from stove and allow to cool. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. After the butter and molasses mixture has cooled, add to the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the sour cream. Spread mixture in prepared baking pan; bake at 350-degrees F for about twenty-five minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.
Food Fare often receives e-mail from reader's who have something to say about our web site, recipes, cookbooks, food articles and e-books in the Culinary Collection.
Are you an epicurean who fancies food-related computer diversions? Check our links to time management games that can be downloaded and played at home, some of which include printable recipes.
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Holiday Greetings from Food Fare
I'm so glad for the arrival of the holidays. It's been a long year indeed, one I'm ready to bid farewell to. By now, I'd hoped to be living happily in Maine with my current residence a mere unpleasant memory. However, the long year just passed gives hope for renewal in 2014. It also gives credence to the two most important lessons I've learned during my lifetime: life can turn on a dime and never give up.
The sometimes-sappy renditions of media-induced holiday cheer aren't so foolish when one believes in the power of hope. It seems to bring out a strong sense of purpose and tenacity in those seeking a better life not only for themselves but for others. The are times when obstacles appear insurmountable, yet if we press forward with determination and positivity, the dark days are often just a little brighter.
Christmas defines the season of hope and giving, followed by a sense of renewal in the New Year. Food is often the centerpiece of most holiday gatherings, when families, friends and coworkers come together in the spirit of appreciation and celebration.
Giving gifts which are the result of creative endeavor are indeed gifts from the heart. Food tops the list, naturally. Homemade culinary treats are by far more personal than a pair of socks or a box of chocolates.
I tend to do a lot of baking during the holidays, typically batches of Classic Shortbread, Kourambiethes (Greek Christmas Cookies) and several loaves of Zucchini Bread. Most all of it is given away to others as Christmas gifts, usually covered in red plastic wrap and tied with a green ribbon.
As long as you are proffering a tasty treat and not a lump of the dreaded holiday fruitcake, people are sure to appreciate your efforts.
My determination to make 2014 a banner year for myself and those near and dear to me remains unchanged and as strong as ever.
Keep love and hope close to your heart. Happy Holidays!
Candy Cane Tea Cakes make the perfect addition to any sort of holiday gathering.
Last May's edition of Food Notes was entirely devoted to the update of Medieval Cuisine. It was my intention to stop there, but what began as a simple project turned into a mammoth venture. All thirty-eight titles in the Food Fare Culinary Collection were updated with new content and recipes, which took me in essence from May to November 2013. It wasn't a "here-and-there" project but rather one I worked on every day. Just one week before Thanksgiving, I finally completed the entire lot.
Along the way, four new titles were added to the collection: Tea Time, Pine Nuts, Jewish Cuisine and The Pirates Table.
I put together The Pirates Table for fun, and indeed it was very enjoyable to research and write.
It is my intention to add to the collection over the coming year, although I tend to write fiction during the winter months. I'm hoping to release a new culinary title by springtime. Tentative plans for 2014 include books about Arabic Cookery, Austria, China, Native Americans and soul food.
Stay tuned!
Food Fare Culinary Collection >
Updates will be scarce at Food Fare for the remainder of 2013. Like many folks, we're taking a few weeks off to enjoy the holiday downtime (so to speak).
In the meantime, check our News page and Appetizing Muse, or visit us at Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Happy Cooking from Food Fare,
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Shenanchie O'Toole Chief Editor, Food Notes
Connect with Shenanchie: Appetizing Muse (blog)
New Years Eve Aperitifs & Appetizers contains information about global New Years Eve traditions, typical resolutions, recipes for drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), appetizers, fun food for kids, dishes for the "morning after" and resources for further study.
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