Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies (small batch)

 One thing I have always loved to do, since my children were growing up, is to bake special goodies during the Christmas Season.   Some for my family of course and the others to gift to friends. 

Generally speaking I will start in early December, baking a variety of goods and freezing them for the holidays in air tight containers. (Note- anything with a glaze or frosting, don't glaze or frost until you get them ready to serve/gift.)

 

I always try to save containers for gifting throughout the year as well.  (And yes, I HAVE already eaten a small tin of butter cookies myself. I am bad.)

I love this time of year when people are so loving and giving, with the spirit of the season. I was so blessed the other day. I received a package from my friend Diana. In it was this lovely Advent Calendar. I can't wait to start using it!  

There was also a cookbook, but I didn't get a photograph of that!  Thank you so much Diana!  You made me smile and will be making me smile all through December!

 

These Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies are perfect for gifting and for enjoying with a nice hot cup of tea.  They also look very festive with their ruby red centers!

It was such a gloomy day today, I have to apologize for the photos. They are not up to my usual standard, unfortunately. I can see that is going to be a problem here, but I will cope.

 

I wanted to bake a surprise gift for my son and his wife to take back to PEI when they leave tomorrow.  Today was the perfect day to do that as they are in Halifax at the IWK with their son.

They live with my daughter-in-law's parents and I thought it would be nice to send them a gift for the holidays.  In the spirit of giving and with love for all of the special care they give to my grandsons.

 

I did small-batch the original recipe, which you will find on a blog called Cooking Classy.   The full batch makes 36 cookies. 

This smaller version makes only 18. Oh my but they are lovely and buttery short textured.  Yes, I did indulge in one. I mean, how can anyone resist!

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE RASPBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES

Nothing too out of the ordinary.

• all purpose plain flour
• salt
• butter (I always use salted.)
• granulated white sugar
• almond extract
• seedless raspberry jam
• icing sugar
• water

 

You can see these are perfect sized  little bites of Christmas Cookie bliss!  Each one only about 2 to 3 bites.

Prepare yourself to fall in love!

 

HOW TO MAKE RASPBERRY THUMBPRINT SHORTBREAD COOKIES

These are relatively simple to make with no extraordinary equipment or skills needed. In fact you could get the children to help you roll the dough into balls. 

You begin by making the shortbread dough. You will need to beat the sugar and cold butter together. I thought this was a bit unusual.  And at first you don't think it is going to pull together because the butter is so cold, but persevere, it will eventually be right and creamed without being overly soft.

 

Once you have done that you can beat in the almond extract and then start beating in the flour.  It too will look like its never going to come together.

At first it appears very dry and crumbly and you think to yourself, this is never going to work, but then, as if by magic, it does and you have a nice malleable dough.

 

You need to divide the dough into 15 walnut sized (1-inch) balls. You can do this between the palms of your hands. 

Place them onto a paper lined baking sheet. 

 

Place the balls, leaving a space in between each on the baking sheet.  Then either using your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon make a slight hollow in the center of each.

I use the back of a measuring spoon because it is easy and they all end up the same shape and depth, etc.  Continuity, perfection. Yes, I am a bit ocd.

 

Once you have done that, drop 1/2 tsp of seedless raspberry jam into the center of each and then pop the whole tray into the refrigerator to chill for about fifteen minutes.

While they are chilling you can preheat your oven.  Once that's done, just pop them into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

You don't want them to color at all. They should be pale golden brown on the bottoms, that's it!

 

Leave them on the baking sheet to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.  Once they are completely cold you can glaze them.

Glazing is easy. Just whisk the glaze ingredients together to get a stiff yet drizzable mixture and pop it into a small zip lock baggie. Snip off a small corner and then drizzle the frosting in a pretty pattern over top of the cookies. Easy peasy.

And that's it! You have a beautiful cookie which is perfect for enjoying with the family or gifting out.  You decide which you want to do.

They would look like pretty little jewels on a cookie tray for the holidays for sure, and I can tell you that they go very well wit a nice hot cuppa!  Share a little love or enjoy them yourself. Its all good!

Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies (small batch)

Yield: 18 cookies

Author: Marie Rayner

Prep time: 14 MinCook time: 18 Mininactive time: 15 MinTotal time: 47 Min

These have a beautiful short texture accentuated with a sweet dab of jam in the middle. They make perfect gifts for family, friends, and neighbors. Or you can always treat yourself!

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 cup +1 TBS (150g)all purpose plain flour
• pinch salt
• 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120g) butter, cold and cut into largish bits
• 1/4 tsp pure almond extract
• seedless raspberry jam

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup (65g) icing sugar, sifted
• drop of almond extract
• 1 - 2 tsp water

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with some baking parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer beat the cold butter and sugar together until combined. (This will take a few minutes due to the coldness of the butter, that's okay.) Beat in the almond extract
3. Beat in the flour and salt. It may look like it is never going to come together, appearing very dry and crumbly, but persevere. It will come together perfectly.
4. Divide and shape into 1 inch round balls. Place onto the baking sheet, leaving a bit of space in between each.
5. Use your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon to make an indentation in each. Spoon about 1/2 tsp of jam into each indentation. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4.
7. Bake the cookies for 14 to 18 minutes. They should be pale golden brown on the bottoms only. Leave to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before scooping off onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Whisk all of the icing ingredients together to make a stiff-ish glaze. Pop into a little zip lock bag, snip off a tiny bit of one corner and then pipe the glaze onto the cookies.
9. Allow them to set before storing in an airtight container.

Did you make this recipe?

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This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again! 

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Popular Christmas Decor 2021

 

 

Image: Magnet

With Christmas around the corner, Kitchen design and retail specialists Magnet have predicted the top 10 festive kitchen decoration trends this year. 

From winter wreaths to festive crockery - here is how to turn the heart of your home into a luxury winter wonderland this Christmas! 

THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS 

DECORATIONS FOR YOUR KITCHEN IN 2021

1. CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Images: Magnet / Lauren M Mills

1. CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Christmas wreaths are not only for your front door. In recent years, Magnet designers have witnessed an increase in popularity of displaying elegant wreaths inside the kitchen!

The most popular locations to adorn kitchen wreaths are on cabinet doors, kitchen windows, or on units above the hob or oven. However, it’s important you make sure wherever you place your wreath, it is safe and not at risk from setting alight.  

Images: The Blushing Bungalow / ​​Nesting with Grace

2. FOLIAGE GARLANDS AROUND KITCHEN WINDOWS

The simple addition of a window garland can transform your kitchen into a festive haven this Christmas! 

Hanging faux (or real) greenery to the frame of your windows brings nature into your kitchen and creates a cosy aesthetic. You can add fairy lights, pine cones, berries or eucalyptus leaves​​ to further emphasis and fill out the feature. 

If you do not have any suitable windows to work with, you can attach garlands to the top of wall cabinets or doorways for a similar effect.  

Images: Ella Claire Inspired / Home by Heidi 

3. DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS JARS

 

Using jars you may already have in your kitchen to create a cute winter scene is a great way to subtly decorate your kitchen counters this Christmas. 

These are especially handy if you have young children or pets as it’s a safer way to display smaller ornaments which could be a choking hazard! 

To create your scene, first add a layer of white sugar to the base of the jar to replicate snow. You can then fill your jar with edible objects such as miniature gingerbread shapes or candy canes. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use small ornaments such as baubles or trees. Finish off the look by adding red ribbon to the handle of the jars!  

 

Images: Dining Delight / Life on Summerhill

4. TIERD CHRISTMAS ISLAND CENTERPIECE

For those who have an island in their kitchen (or a spare corner on their counter top), adding a DIY Christmas centerpiece is a great way to make your kitchen feel festive. Last Christmas, Magnet designers noticed a rise in interest for tiered centerpieces in particular - and predict the trend will continue this year! 

You can repurpose a tiered tray stand, by adding small festive objects such as pine cones, candles and ivy. Pick colours that compliment your kitchen's colour scheme or classic Christmas colours such as red and green.    

Images: Home Bunch / Home Stories A to Z

5. FESTIVE CHAIR DECORATIONS

If you have chairs or stools in your kitchen, adding simple decoration to the back of them will give your room a festive makeover. 

Foliage, ribbons or miniature wreaths are a great option for a sophisticated and stylish look.

Images: Ella Claire & Co. / Donna Hay 

6. ON DISPLAY GINGERBREAD HOUSE OR CHRISTMAS CAKE

Gingerbread houses and Christmas cakes are made to be eaten - but they also are a great decorative piece to display in your kitchen. Thanks to these treats lasting over a week in most cases, they can be incorporated into your decor in the run up to Christmas. 

You can go as big or as small as you wish with this decor - and you can even get the kids involved. If you want over-the-top inspiration, every year, Kris Kardashian gifts her children lavishly decorated Gingerbread houses which they share online. If you do have yours on show and wish to eat it, make sure you cover it overnight to make it last longer and keep it fresh.  

Images: It all started with paint / The Turquoise Home

 

7. CHRISTMAS CROCKERY 

Swap out your regular dishes and mugs with Christmas alternatives. 

From Santa and reindeer mugs to candy cane plates, you can display them on shelves or countertop corners to make your kitchen feel festive. Many find it fun to build their unique collection each year, by buying new or pre-loved pieces!  

Images: My 100 Year Old Home / Blogs by Aria

8. CHRISTMAS OVEN MITTS AND TEATOWELS 

As well as replacing your crockery, you can also swap your everyday kitchen textiles, like tea towels and oven mitts, with their seasonal Christmas counterparts! 

Having these on display is a useful and natural way to celebrate the festive season.  

Images: Soil Solutions Homestead / The Danes

9. FESTIVE BOWL OF WINTER INGREDIENTS 

Get into the Christmas spirit this year by making your very own dried potpourri. Not only will this decoration be beautiful to look at - it also will make your kitchen smell amazing! You can also assemble your potpourri into glass jars, and give it to family and friends as a festive gift.

You can make your potpourri to your own taste by choosing what ingredients to dehydrate and add. We recommend cinnamon sticks, essential oils, herbs, vanilla beans and dried fruits such as oranges. 

You can use your oven to dry the items out. Drying out your fruits will take the longest (up to 3 hours). Cut the oranges into 1-2cm slices and place them on baking paper in the oven. Start at 120°C and turn them up every half hour - they will start to develop a brown shade, but you must also keep a close eye on them regularly to judge when they are done. Too cool, put them on a metal cooling rack! 

 

    

Images: Sunny Side Up / Pinterest 

10. WINDOW LEDGE CHRISTMAS SCENE 

If you have a window ledge in your kitchen, you can create your very own winter village scene this Christmas - an increasingly popular trend! 

By assembling model homes in between faux Christmas trees, on a bed of cotton wool, you can build your very own winter wonderland. Not only will it look great from the inside of your home, you can spread the festive cheer as your neighbours will also get to see the scene too! 

Lizzie Beesley, Head of Design at Magnet commented: 

“If you are using your kitchen as a hosting space, or just want to raise the cook’s spirits, there are many simple tweaks to festively spruce up the hub of your home. You can use resources like Magnet’s trending decor predictions above, or sites such as Pinterest, for sources of inspiration.

If you're looking for a more subtle nod to Christmas you can utilise popular Scandinavian decor. This minimalist trend incorporates natural elements such as foliage, paper and wood, along with classic Christmas colours such as red, green, gold or silver. Decorations tend to be sparse and made from natural materials and have a simple yet festive style. 

On the other end of the scale, you can choose a more maximalist approach to your decor. For this trend, there are no restraints to the use of colours and patterns to liven up your kitchen. 

The aim is to be bright, bold and eccentric, embracing the joy of the festive season. 
And last but not least, traditional Christmas decor is also another popular way to add some festive cheer to the heart of your home. This includes the use of Christmas colours and decorations such as garlands, candy canes, bells, wreaths and gingerbread houses for a decadent feel.”

Article Source: Magnet UK

Chicken with Cheese, Leeks & Spinach

 

I do eat a lot of chicken it seems. More often than not it is on the menu.  That is probably for a variety of reasons!

One it is reasonably affordable, and two its a pretty versatile protein to prepare. It goes with just about anything and adapts to many flavors and cooking methods! 

I never run out of interesting and delicious ways to prepare this healthy source of protein!

 

I especially love to use Chicken breasts.  With their mild flavor they provide a canvas upon which to layer many other textures and flavors.  

I love to play with them and come up with delicious ways of preparing them. This is one of my favorite things I have ever done with them.  

You end up being able to get in several of your five a day,  as well as some tender moist and flavor filled chicken.  The cheesy sauce and crispy topping is the icing on a very tasty cake!

 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE CHICKEN WITH CHEESE, LEEKS & SPINACH

There is nothing much out of the ordinary here.  It might seem like a long list, but its a really simple list.

boneless, skinless chicken breasts (try to get them as evenly sized as possible)

baby spinach leaves

Leeks (you will only need the white and light green parts

butter (I use salted)

flour (all purpose, plain)

salt and pepper

dry mustard powder

milk (I use whole milk, but feel free to use semi-skimmed or 2%)

a good strong cheddar cheese

some stale bread

 

HOW TO CLEAN LEEKS

Leeks are a hugely versatile and delicious vegetable that is pretty much available to us all year round these days. They can be somewhat gritty however and do require thorough cleaning to get rid of that grit.

Because leeks grow for the most part under ground, much like an onion, they often accumulate sand and sediment in their layers. Some people can find it very troublesome to remove this, but if you follow my instructions that won't be a problem.

 

First you will need to cut off the root end and the tougher dark green tops. You can easily do this  using a sharp chef’s knife. You’ll have the light green and  white stalk left. 

Slice this lengthwise down the middle to form two long, skinny halves. This will expose all the layers in the middle of the leek.

Soak the stalks in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes or so, then rinse under cold running water in the sink. The long soak allows the water to penetrate the leek’s many layers, clearing out all the bits of debris.

You are now ready to go!  Simply slice or dice, etc. as per the recipe requirement. In this case you will be slicing them into half moons.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN WITH CHEESE, LEEKS & SPINACH

It might seem complicated, but really if you break it down into parts you will find that this is really a simple dish that goes together very quickly.

One of the components of this dish is a lush cheese béchamel sauce.  This is very similar to make as you would a sauce for macaroni and cheese.

Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and dry mustard powder.  Cook for a minute or so to cook out any flour taste and then slowly whisk in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture bubbles and thickens. You can taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside.

 

You could always sauté the leeks in some butter to soften them, but I like to soften them in the microwave, which saves on fat and calories.

Just pop them into a glass measure/dish and add a bit of water. Cover with plastic cling film and microwave on high for about a minute, then set aside to cool.

You can melt the butter in the microwave as well, which will be mixed with bread crumbs for the crispy topping. I usually make my own bread crumbs by whirring some stale bread in a food processor, but you can use any bread crumb you like. Panko gives a nice crispy finish.

 

You can lightly pound your chicken pieces between some cling film to even them out so that they are all one thickness. Once you have done that it is simply a matter of layering things in a baking dish.

The uncooked baby spinach goes on the bottom of the baking dish.  Don't worry, it will cook in the heat of the oven to perfection. You place the chicken on top of the spinach.

Spoon the leeks over the chicken and the top with the cheese sauce and buttered crumbs. That's it. Your dish is now ready to bake to perfection!

 

Half an hour later you are rewarded with some tender and juicy pieces of chicken, bathed in those lovely leeks and that rich cheese sauce, all bubbly and scrumptious, with a crispy, buttery, crumb topping.

What's not to love about that!!  This is quite simply delicious!

I served it with some steamed baby potatoes and a mix of frozen grilled Mediterranean style vegetables. They were very easy to warm  up in the microwave.  You can dress them with a bit of balsamic if you want.

This was one very delicious Mid-week supper!

 

Chicken with Cheese, Leeks & Spinach

Yield: 4

Author: Marie Rayner

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min

This makes for a delicious supper, midweek. All you need on the side is some rice or potato and a vegetable, or salad. Simple and hassle-free, my kind of cooking. Use good quality chicken breasts for this.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
• 2 leeks, washed and thinly sliced (White and light green parts only)
• a small bag of baby spinach leaves, washed and dried and de-stemmed (about 4 handfuls)
• 2 TBS butter
• 2 TBS flour
• 1/2 tsp dried mustard powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups (300ml) whole milk
• 1 generous cup (125g) grated strong cheddar cheese

To top:

• 2 sliced of stale bread made into crumbs
• 1 TBS melted butter

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400*F/200*C/ gas mark 6. Butter a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the chicken in one layer. Set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and mustard powder. Cook for a minute, whisking constantly, then slowly whisk in the milk.
3. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese to melt. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
4. Put the leeks into a large bowl with 1 TBS of water. Cover with plastic cling film. Microwave on high for 1 minute until well wilted. Set aside to cool.
5. Melt the butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Set aside.
6. Place the spinach into the baking dish in a single layer. Lay the chicken breasts on top of the spinach.
7. Divide the wilted leeks equally between the chicken breasts, laying them on top of the chicken. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over all. Top with the buttered crumbs.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. The juices should run clear. Delicious!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #marierayner5530

 

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again! 

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