Cooking for one (Mark Two)

caronc

Good evening everyone,

My plans to have a pottering about afternoon went adrift, first off I fell asleep for 2 hours after doing my afternoon physio and then my sister popped by for a natter and a cuppa. So apart from changing my bed I've not got much done. Sweeping/mopping will need to wait until the morning - I'm sure my friends won't mind if the place isn't perfect;). I will make some shortbread in a bit as it doesn't take long and one of tomorrow's visitors love HM shortbread so it would be a shame not oblige:). I've just enough butter to make a small batch so at least I shouldn't end up over indulging on it:D

candygirl

Linda mc sausage butties, with HP sauce for tea
Yum at HM shortbread CARONC

Hollyharvey

caronc wrote: »

I will make some shortbread in a bit as it doesn't take long and one of tomorrow's visitors love HM shortbread so it would be a shame not oblige:). I've just enough butter to make a small batch so at least I shouldn't end up over indulging on it:D

I love shortbread, but usually buy it. I don't know why I haven't ever made it. I once had some HM shortbread that a colleague made for us all when I was working and it was the best shortbread I've ever had.

candygirl

Hollyharvey wrote: »

I love shortbread, but usually buy it. I don't know why I haven't ever made it. I once had some HM shortbread that a colleague made for us all when I was working and it was the best shortbread I've ever had.

Mum's friend makes choc dipped shortbread.Too blooming good :eek::D

Farway

The lamb shank dinner was superb, better than any I've eaten out, mind you never been to the Savoy etc, but it was better than pub stuff I've had

Followed by more of my stewed apples & yoghurt

Now I fancy short bread, not something I have ever made or even thought about making. How easy is it? I loath anything involving rubbing fat into flour, I remember doing it as child with my Nan and thought it was a lot of faffing about even at that young age. Bung it all in a mixer I can handle with ease & possibly aplomb

Still peeing down here, staying in was a good idea today

caronc

HM shortbread is just about the simplest thing you can bake, 3 ingredients only so no excuses.
I've posted this before but you should really have a go.
This makes about 8 biscuits
150g plain flour
100g butter (you can use spread or marge but it's really not as good)
50g caster sugar (if you've no caster sugar use ordinary blitzed a bit with a stick blender or processor.)

I make mine in a food processor, where you bung everything in a whizz until it's fine breadcrumbs.

If making by hand mix flour and sugar together and rub in the butter until you get breadcrumbs.

Gently bring together until forms a ball, chill for 30 mins and roll out to desired thickness (I tend to go for 1/2 cm). Cut into fingers, triangles or rounds, prod (I've just been modded for my first choice:rotfl:) tops with a fork, bake in a medium hot oven for 10-12 mins. Keep an eye on them after 8 minutes you want them pale not brown. Once cooked cool on tray for a few minutes, sprinkle with sugar and transfer to a rack to cool completely. They'll keep in an airtight tin for at least a week. If you are dipping in chocolate, a good teaspoon of ground ginger add to the basic mix is rather good. Try not to eat too many........;)

moneyistooshorttomention

speaking as someone who rarely allows herself anything like shortbread - yep....it does have to be butter. It makes all the difference to have shortbread/other biscuits/cakes with butter as the fat imo.

caronc

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

speaking as someone who rarely allows herself anything like shortbread - yep....it does have to be butter. It makes all the difference to have shortbread/other biscuits/cakes with butter as the fat imo.

Agree except for sponges where I get a better/ lighter result with Stork margarine:eek:, but it really makes a big difference in shortbread:)

Farway

caronc wrote: »

HM shortbread is just about the simplest thing you can bake, 3 ingredients only so no excuses.
I've posted this before but you should really have a go.
This makes about 8 biscuits
150g plain flour
100g butter (you can use spread or marge but it's really not as good)
50g caster sugar (if you've no caster sugar use ordinary blitzed a bit with a stick blender or processor.)

I make mine in a food processor, where you bung everything in a whizz until it's fine breadcrumbs.

Try not to eat too many........;)

Thanks, bung it all in is my style
Just used up my butter so on the list next shopping trip, like the blitz ordinary sugar tip, I can handle that

Fatty Farway by end of the week, I'll tell the heart nurse it was all your fault

Hollyharvey

caronc wrote: »

HM shortbread is just about the simplest thing you can bake, 3 ingredients only so no excuses.
I've posted this before but you should really have a go.
This makes about 8 biscuits
150g plain flour
100g butter (you can use spread or marge but it's really not as good)
50g caster sugar (if you've no caster sugar use ordinary blitzed a bit with a stick blender or processor.)

I make mine in a food processor, where you bung everything in a whizz until it's fine breadcrumbs.

If making by hand mix flour and sugar together and rub in the butter until you get breadcrumbs.

Gently bring together until forms a ball, chill for 30 mins and roll out to desired thickness (I tend to go for 1/2 cm). Cut into fingers, triangles or rounds, prod (I've just been modded for my first choice:rotfl:) tops with a fork, bake in a medium hot oven for 10-12 mins. Keep an eye on them after 8 minutes you want them pale not brown. Once cooked cool on tray for a few minutes, sprinkle with sugar and transfer to a rack to cool completely. They'll keep in an airtight tin for at least a week. If you are dipping in chocolate, a good teaspoon of ground ginger add to the basic mix is rather good. Try not to eat too many........;)

Thanks Caronc
I'll make some next weekend as a treat, it really is so good , and I need cheering up at the moment.