Aubrey-Maturin Dinner: Prep #I Forget: A Few Kickshaws

[serinde]

Meta-note: I find I'm much less stressed about experimental baking than cooking. Because I'm more comfortable with baking, I guess?

Anyways, last night was unexpectedly clear, so I seized the opportunity to try a few quick small items that are intended to be served during the dessert course or when taking coffee after dinner. Both worked out well, though not much what I expected.

Shrewsbury Cakes: In spite of the name, this is more or less just a spice cookie biscuit of the refrigerate-the-dough, roll-out, cut-out, bake variety; so, pretty familiar ground. This particular recipe is flavored with coriander (which I had) and mace (which I didn't, so used allspice instead, oh well), which may seem odd, but it's tasty. Not too sweet, either. The only minor difficulty I had was, and they do warn you about this in the recipe, that I rolled out the first batch a little too thin, which changes consistency and, oddly, flavor. I suck at eyeballing dough thicknesses. I think I'd also make them smaller--I cut them out in diamonds about 3.5" long.

Maids of Honour: These are small puff-pastry tartlets with a filling of ground almond, rosewater, lemon, and some things which make you fat to thicken & bind. It was a little more troublesome; the recipe recommended taking your puff-pastry, cutting out circles, and putting them into "medium" muffin tins. What's medium? What's large? I think mine might be large. Because, you see, it's supposed to make 2 dozen and I don't see how the heck the amount of filling the recipe makes could stretch that far unless you were doing mini muffin tins. I ended up using the small, individual tart pans I'd gotten before Christmas for making mince pies. This worked tolerably well (though they're a pain to grease); perhaps I'd fill them slightly less in future...although the recipe does say to fill 'em almost to the rim of the pastry lining. (I also think the flavor combination would be very tasty with pistachios instead of almonds.)

Comments

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

Yum! Sounds great! When are we having a tea party? I have the little matching plate and teacup sets. And an appropriate hat.

[syringavulgaris.livejournal.com]

I'd really like to have living room furniture for my tea party. I mean, other than an armchair which, albeit comfy, is older than me and looks it, and a futon.

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about my house? Perfect for a tea party. As is your baking. If you'd ever like to throw one together, let me know!