A friend of mine who has seemed a bit down lately in our correspondence will be receiving a package of cookies soon. Here is what I made him:
Green Tea Shortbread, a recipe from Martha Stewart. I added some lemon and chamomile tea along with the green tea for a more complex flavor. I made these cookies around Christmas time for a cookie party. Most people, while initially skeptical of the green cookies, seemed to enjoy them. One woman however scowled when she saw them and turned to her friend who was reaching for one to rasp, "Those are from the Martha Stewart website" and rolled her eyes. Her friend slowly pulled back her hand, though I did see her enjoying one later. Personally, I think Martha Stewart has some fabulous recipes. This is one of them.
I also made Lemon Ginger Drop Cookies, also from the Martha Stewart website, thank you. This was my first pass at these and they ended up quite good. I used some candied ginger from Trader Joe’s and the result was excellent. They, obviously, didn’t spread out flat as the cookies in Martha’s picture did, but I don’t quite see how they could have. I think some of her pictures are a bit contrived, so I didn’t worry about it.
And the real treat of the evening: Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. John and I went past our garden yesterday and picked some fresh rhubarb. John made this delicious cobbler with some strawberries we had in our house. It was very good. Sweet, but still with a snappy tartness, just how I like it.
Please feel free to send us any other rhubarb recipes. There must be something more to do with the stuff than cobblers, pies, and jams. There is A LOT of rhubarb. Suggestions would be appreciated.
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jane - Gemma, if I start sending you depressed-sounding emails, will you send me packages of sugary goodness? Because I can pretend to be sad for the sake of cookies.
Also, have you thought about making rhubarb sauce? My mother makes it every year, and it’s delicious either plain or warmed and served over vanilla ice cream. If you’d like her recipe, I can ask her tonight.
Melissa - what about: rhubarb chutney, rhubarb ice cream, rhubarb and ricotta tartlets, rhubarb streusel cake, rhubarb roulade, rhubarb napoleons, rhubarb poached in green tea with ginger, rhubarb creme brulee, pistachio rhubarb trifle, rhubarb-ginger compote… okay, okay, I got it all from epicurious. truth be told I’ve only ever made strawberry-rhubarb crisp, but I’ve been meaning to expand my rhubarb horizons any day now. btw, your cookies look great!
Nic - I love a lot of Martha’s recipes. Some people (often people who don’t cook) seem to dislike her on “principle”, by which I mean “they’re jealous because they can’t cook”.
keiko - Gemma, how adorable are they? I think your addition of lemon and chamomile tea is a brilliant idea – I’m glad you’re in a green mode too :)
gemma - Uh oh, I don’t know Jane. How about I just bake some cookies next time you are in town that we can enjoy together? I would love your mother’s recipe. Thanks!
Hi Melissa, I had looked at a lot of those too. You’re right, there is a lot out there, but none of those really tickled me when I read through them before. . . There is a TON of rhubarb though, so I bet in a week or two they will start to look really enticing! I missed the ‘rhubarb poached in green tea and ginger’ though. That sounds very interesting. Thanks for the suggestions!
Nic, thanks for the support! I agree with your assessment.
Keiko, thanks. I thought they turned out pretty cute too. The lemon and chamomile worked very well with the other flavors. I was pleased. I have yet to get my hands on some real matcha powder. There is a huge market out in the suburbs where I could buy some, but as of yet I haven’t been able to goad a friend into driving me out there. Soon soon. . then everything will be green and tasty!
Susan - Well gosh – how would she know they were from the Martha Stewart website – unless she was VISITING HERSELF! DUN DUN DUN!
Susan
gemma - Very true Susan, very true. She was quite a weird lady. Everyone else at the cookie party was lovely. Especially one man who ate about half my cookies and would rave about them with every bite. I sure liked him. ;)
Jeni - How about Green tea with choclate puddings. I came to know about this recipe from my bestest friend and it does taste so good :D
gemma - Hi Jeni, I haven’t tried that. Do you have a recipe you could share? I would love to give it a taste.