Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Wonderful Sense of Smell.....

בס''ד
Welcome and thank-you for taking the time to look at my new blog 'From Miriam's Kitchen'. I don't want this blog to be just a recipe blog but what I hope to accomplish is a blog that is well balanced and contains a variety of food information.

I would like to include recipes, nutritional information, links to interesting food articles and blogs, a poll question and the occasional 'good food story and joke.' 

Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed and if you have a good recipe that you would like to share, please e-mail me Miriam's Kitchen  

There is nothing as pleasurable as walking into a house where the smell of freshly baked cakes, cookies and pies are emerging from the kitchen. The aroma gives the house a very warm and inviting feeling. Over the years, I have accumulated many wonderful recipes, and I would like to share some of my family's favorites. All of my recipes are very easy and inexpensive to make.

If I am famous for anything, my grandchildren will tell you it is my Safta Cookies. I’m not sure why they love these simple cookies, maybe it is because they come from Safta.

By the way the big kids [the parents] love these cookies also with a nice, big cup of hot coffee.

A couple of weeks ago my four year old granddaughter Neta called me early in the morning to say boker tov and could I make her some Safta Cookies.  Fortunately, I had some in the freezer and when she came home from gan, her mother gave her a present from Safta…a bag of Safta Cookies to share with her siblings. Neta’s smile was ear to ear.

And so the first recipe I would like to post is Safta Cookies. As you will see this is a very versatile recipe. Using the basic recipe you can add ingredients and change the toppings.  ENJOY!


Safta cookies:
preparation time: 15 minutes 
preheat oven 190c / 375F
makes 4 1/2 to 5 dozen cookies 

Basic recipe:-
1 cup of oil
1 cup sugar or 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 package of baking powder [about 3 teaspoons]
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla 
baking paper

Options:- You can add the following to the basic recipe
2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate powder [add 2 tablespoons of white sugar]
1/2 cup coconut
instead of vanilla…1 teaspoon of lemon juice or orange juice
 
Topping:-
cinnamon and sugar
candy or chocolate sprinkles
coconut
 
Combine oil, sugar and eggs and beat well.
Add baking powder continue beating.
*If you want to add any options do it now before the flour and mix.
Add flour and vanilla mix very well. [If to thick for beaters, mix by hand]
 
Line cookies trays with baking paper [do not grease]
Using 2 teaspoons scoop and place on cookie tray
Sprinkle toppings
Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Cookies should be firm and hard. If necessary bake an extra 5 minutes.  

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.  
Freezes well in double plastic bag.
ENJOY!

Until next time... Please answer our poll question.
Miriam