Category Archives: Recipes

Spicy Ginger Mound

I made the Spicy Ginger Mound cookies this afternoon. They are very nearly perfect. The only change I will make to future batches is to cut the amount of clove. They are crunchy and sweet and perfect with a cup of tea. Here is the recipe:

Spicy Ginger Mounds

Sift together in one bowl:
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt

Cream together in separate bowl:
3/4 cup shortening OR margarine OR butter
1 cup sugar

Beat into creamed mixture:
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses

Beat until light and fluffy. Stir in dry ingredients. Shape into small balls, roll in sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 325 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

UPDATE: The cloves were only strong in the first couple of cookies. After sitting overnight, the clove taste went away. I am keeping the cloves at 1 tsp.

Hot drinks

Erin and Pete were able to come over last night. We had a lovely evening. I made Hot Buttered Rum and Gl�gg and I served cheese and crackers.

Hot Buttered Rum
In a large mug pour 6 or 8 ounces of boiling water; add a rounded tablespoon of dark brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add a cinnamon stick and a generous piece of clove-studded lemon peel. (What I typically do is just throw in a slice of lemon and 4 or 5 cloves) Stir in 2 or 3 ounces of rum (preferably dark Jamaican) and top with a butter pat and grated nutmeg.

Gl�gg
Per serving:
1/2 tsp orange peel zest
1-inch cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
1 cardamom pod
1/2 tsp honey
6 oz. red wine
2 tbsp bourbon, rye or blended whisky
1 tsp raisins
Combine all ingredients and heat to the temperature of hot breakfast coffee; garnish with shaved almonds and serve warm, or especially for punch-bowl quantities, prepare ahead and let steep two hours at room temperature, reheating just before serving.

Although I wanted to make the Gl�gg myself, I actually just used a Gl�gg concentrate bought at IKEA.

There was another drink I wanted to make but sadly I didn’t have any gin.

The Dog’s Nose
Pour 12 ounces of porter or stout into a large, sturdy glass and microwave it for one minute. Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and stir till dissolved; then stir in 2 ounces of gin and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

I clipped these recipes from the December edition of Hemispheres magazine.