Festive Treats

We couldn't find any pfeffernusse this year in the shops so we had to make some. 

Never realised how important it is to ice them!

Of course once these had been baked we spotted some on our next supermarket visit.  The freshly made up spice blend made a difference not to mention the freshness of all the other ingredients.  The homemade ones were in a class of their own and have all been consumed. 

On the savoury front taralli are an addictive Italian snack we make at this time of year.  The dough is made with wine, olive oil, flour and salt.  Divided into four  quarters each gets a different flavour. (fennel seed, cracked pepper, chilli flakes and rosemary)  Then each quarter is rolled into a long cylinder. The tricky bit is making them into small rings and dunking them into a pan of simmering water before baking

Dough and the 4 flavourings

 It is best to do the fennel flavoured ones first as the more robust flavours leech into the water and carry over to the next. So chilli comes last.

The finished product

Now it feels like Christmas:

Festive greetings to all visitors!