Eat, drink and be merry

Well I managed a lovely walk last Sunday and whilst not a new walk was one I have not done in a while. The sun was gloriously warm and the colour of the trees were amazing. I took this photo which brought a song bubbling to my brain.

I know I’ve mentioned my Kombucha before my latest batch is apple and cinnamon which is very seasonal and tastes like a really good cider. I am looking forward to cranberries being back in store to make a festive infusion.

I normally leave my tea in with the scobie for around two weeks I then drain off nearly all the liquid leaving enough to cover the scobie before adding a new batch of sugared tea. I then placed chopped apples and a whole cinnamon stick in another large jar and added the drained off kombucha, seal with screw top and place away for another week to 10 days before bottling.

I started my Christmas planning jobs this week and have made a number of cookie doughs and popped them in the freezer ready to get out, thaw, cut and bake during the festive season.

I have made 3 this week and have 3 more to make next week.

Maple oat cookies

Ingredients
Cookies:
▢1½ cups quick oats
▢1 cup all purpose flour
▢¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢¼ teaspoon baking soda
▢¼ teaspoon salt
▢½ cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
▢⅔ cup light brown sugar, packed
▢¼ cup granulated sugar
▢1 large egg
▢2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
▢½ teaspoon maple extract
Icing:
▢2 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢⅔ cup powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
▢1-2 tablsepoons pure maple syrup
▢1-2 tablespoons half and half, cream, or milk
▢2 drops maple extract

I got my maple extract from Amazon as I could not get it easily in a shop. I used Foodie Flavours it has a really good real flavour not artificial and you only need a small amount so it will last for sometime. (Not sponsored for this product)

I also made the dough for chocolate dipped shortbread fingers. I found the dough rather dry and actually added some water to combine it.

The final one I made this week was Chai Spiced Cookies I will be making the other 3 from Butternut Bakery this week.

Make the dough and then you can just gently fold in the chai spice to create swirls of flavour or mix completely in to get an all over flavour. There again I added a small amount of water to combine the dough.

Also off my list for 6 weeks to Christmas I started my deep clean of my lounge by cleaning my carpets. I had to wait for a dry day in order to have a good through draft to make sure they dried by the evening. They look so much better. I also washed down the doors and panelling and cleaned the inside of the windows.

I finished crocheting my sweet little penguin decoration you can find the free pattern here

I am off to Plymouth today to see Mia and take the littlies and our house guest Sunny for a walk at Saltram Estate. This will be a nice few hours break for Mia who is busy with coursework and her dissertation.

Until next week

Chris x