TWD: Lemon Sugar Cookies

The second April cookie from Dorie's cookbook is filled with the taste and scent of lemon, Lemon Sugar Cookies.  I love anything lemon, and I am fortunate because there is a lemon tree in my backyard, loaded with lemons.

I must admit that I made these back in February, and they were a big hit with everyone who tried one.  One problem, though.  I forgot to take photos, or, rather, the cookies were eaten too quickly.  So, sigh, I was forced to bake them again.  Almost ran out the second time, too!

I didn't have too much of an issue with spreading.  Those most likely to expand were the last to be scooped out.  Maybe a bit of chilling would be helpful.

The only other thing I did a bit differently the first time was that I used the zest of two lemons instead of one.  They were really lemony.  And super delicious.

If you have Dorie's Cookies, you can find the recipe on page 171.

To see what the other bakers thought, stop by the Tuesdays with Dorie website.

BBB: Kare Pan

Lately, I’ve been having issues with following directions.  Call it creative departure.  Making this month’s bread was no exception.

Babe Aparna asked us to make Kare Pan, Japanese curry balls, for our April challenge.  (You'll find the recipe on Aparna's blog.) These are balls of dough, filled with a curried vegetable mixture, coated in panko, and deep fried.  I almost did that.

 

Upon doing a vegetable check, I determined that I had some but not all of the required produce.  Change number one:  I created a mixture of onions, garlic, ginger, kale, tomatoes, and potatoes, adding the various spices, which I did have.  I thought it turned out well, and there was enough left over to put in this morning’s breakfast omelet.

Change number two:  instead of deep frying the dough balls, I chose to bake them.  I searched for alternative recipes and did find one that gave me the specifics.  It's not that I have a problem with deep frying, but I had so much going on simultaneously that I didn't have the time to stand over a pan full of hot oil, hence the baking option.  I dipped the balls in egg wash, coated them with panko, then drizzled olive oil over each ball.  They went into a 390 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  I started checking them after 10 minutes, then increased the bake time by 5 minute increments until they were golden brown. 

The resulting bread was crispy on the outside  and soft on the inside with a tiny kick from the spicy filling.  As I was tasting them, I could imagine other fillings, both sweet and savory.

If you want to be a Buddy, bake your Kare Pan by the 29^th of April, post the results, and let Aparna know. She’ll have the Buddy roundup ready shortly thereafter.  And, of course, check out the adventures of the other Babes.

• Blog from OUR Kitchen – Elizabeth
• A Messy Kitchen – Kelly
• Bake My Day – Karen
• Bread Experience – Cathy
• Feeding My Enthusiasms – Elle
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories – Karen
• My Kitchen in Half Cups – Tanna
• Notitie Van Lien – Lien
• Thyme for Cooking – Katie
• My Diverse Kitchen - Aparna

  

TWD: Anzac Biscuits

Oatmeal cookies.  Mostly, I'm neutral about them. If there are raisins, I won't touch them.  If there are chocolate chips, I will.  If they are plain, it's a toss-up.

But, I have now discovered my favorite variety of oatmeal cookie:  Anzac Biscuits from Dorie's Cookies (page 159).  I've heard of them many times, but have never made them before.

They are a delicious combination of oatmeal, coconut, and golden syrup.  Easy to make, easy to eat.

I usually have some kind of container of golden syrup in my pantry because I never know when it will be needed.  Somewhere, and I don't remember where, I came across this squeeze bottle of golden syrup.  Had to have it!  And, it paid off with these cookies.

The other deviation I made was that I used unsweetened coconut -- the only kind I will use.  First, coconut is sweet enough on its own; second, sweetened coconut makes me gag.  Coconut-filled candy bars are safe with me, since I refuse to eat them.

That aside, these cookies are terrific.  If you have the book, definitely bake up a batch.

Also, check with the Tuesdays with Dorie website to read about what the other bakers thought of them.