Last week Derek wanted to shout morning tea for his ex workmates (approx 50 people) and was going to buy it all. I said "no, I can do that" (thinking reduced packaging), so whipped up date scones, my favourite cracker recipe with cheeses, cut up rock melon and pineapple and made a batch of Jam Drops. All of these recipes are quick and simple, and are staples in my kitchen.
Jam Drops
This recipe makes 35.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C
1/2 cup of milk (I use 2 Tbsp milk powder and 1/2c boiling water)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
450g flour
250g butter
jam
Mix the milk and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Add the baking soda, then cool.
Mix the flour and butter until finely mixed. The food processor is your friend here if you have one.
Mix with the sugar/ milk mix and stir to a firm dough.
Roll heaped teaspoonfuls in your hand and place on a baking tray. Poke a well into each one and fill with jam.
A sprinkle of coconut over each one will stop the jam from boiling over.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes.
I can tell you that if you forget to put the baking soda in - they will still turn out ok 😄
This recipe came from a lovely book - worth a look if you find it...
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| Beautiful photography, grandma-style recipes, wonderful garden and country decor. |
Our team at Plastic Bag-Free Northland celebrate all plastic-reducing wins, and lately it seems there have been a few. Our local butchery, Omak, have told us that they've had a meeting and have decided to order in their own reusable bags and will be charging people to use plastic bags. They will also be actively encouraging people to bring in their own containers.
This is a result of many of us greenies shopping there, and management having just taken a Pacific Island holiday and being disgusted by the plastic problem they saw there.
Our Kamo Bin Inn now give me all the sacks that their bulk food comes in, and our Boomerang Bags group is turning them into reusable bags. They are woven plastic, but it's better than dumping them and they are strong.
A local food co op has asked if we can provide them with hundreds of these bags to replace the plastic bags they currently send out each week. It's a big undertaking, but worthwhile. I wish we had more people to sew, but we're working on it.
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| The Food Co-op send out five times this many bags each week |
Our thoughts are with everyone around the world struggling to cope with the devastation from the previous storms and now Hurricane Maria, and the earthquake in Mexico. The world is struggling in so many ways. I can only carry on in my own small ways to try to help Mother Earth.💗💗
You are doing great work Anne. I feel like you and I have a parallel life sometimes, cooking, gardening, sewing...but it's my hubby who makes the music not me! We find it difficult to get sewers sometimes too at Boomerang Bags, people come in fits and starts, but every little bit helps. Keep going, it all makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we do too Cheryl! I've just had a brilliant idea to ask one of the rest homes to see if some of the residents can help turn and iron handles - who knows!
DeleteOh Yes! I've always thought there are so many older people who are dying of boredom, and who would happily love to help. What a win/win, good luck with it :)
DeleteYour jam drops look delicious! I make them often here at home too and they always get gobbled up:) The sewing project you've got underway, to make reusable bags, is just wonderful. Nothing like that here in my little part of the world. The Australian state I live in has just banned single use thin plastic shopping bags, which is a good thing, but the supermarkets will be able to offer (for purchase, I think) thicker plastic bags as an alternative. I'm not sure about that because I think they may still end up in the waste stream at some point. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteYes I agree Meg, those heavier plastic bags are doubtful - it's a shame they didn't go with the reusable poly bags, which although plastic based, at least will last for 100 uses. Our bag sewing group is small, but we feel have some impact, best of all is linking with like minded people.
DeleteIf I lived nearby I'd definitely help with the bags. I can get so discouraged living where I do. There is so little awareness which seems crazy because we are in a beautiful place on the sea. The other day I handed the bagger in the grocery store my bag and she proceeded to put my things into plastic bags and then into my cloth bag before I could stop her! I took them out and handed them back and she was quite annoyed. Oh well, I'm glad you are taking care of things down there in New Zealand!
ReplyDeleteOur checkout assistants used to do that here too Cynthia, but they don't now where I shop anyway - maybe it's just a matter of time and keeping at it.
DeleteThey do look quite delectable. Definitely going to try them! My 7kids loves cookies with jam in. I usually make them 'hertzoggies' a South African jam and coconut Tartlet. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting! I hope that recipe is popular with your kids.
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