The results of the Guinea Pig taste test

No I don't mean I have been tasting guinea pigs! Having made several batches of the jammy dodger esque biscuits with either semolina or ground almonds, I hit work and family with the two recipes. Obviously this also meant I had to forcefeed people a minimum of 2 biscuits, all part of my masterplan!!
Personally I prefer the recipe containing ground almonds. There is not muich difference between the two in taste but I was not so keen on the texture of the semolina recipe as it was quite 'bitty'. I was quite surprised to discover that opinion was split on the recipes. Most people only noted a difference on texture but quite a few preferred the semolina recipe as it was 'a bit different'. However, the ground almond recipe was ultimately the most successful. Now on to experimenting with thickness of the dough and how much vanilla essence to add.

What's in a name?

Ok, so the latest recipe experimenting. Are they Jammy dodgers? Are they Linzer biscuits? Are they Shortbread with jam? Well the answer is, I don't know. Linzer biscuits apaprently are the same ingredients as a Linzer Torte so should contain almonds. The biscuits I made last week I decided to swap the almonds for semolina (after using semolina in a slightly different recipe the previous week). It created a very interesting texture, quite bitty. However, they went down well, in fact the sister even said she would pay me to make more. It is a basic shortbread recipe but with the addition of semolina/almonds. Though I know people put cornflour or icing sugar in their shortbread recipes. (Shortbread is a recipe I have yet to attack) As for Jammy dodgers? Well I don't know how to define them but it wasn't really like them either.

So, the previous recipe I had used was entitled Jammy Dodgers and I made them with the Lovely Luce (second picture on the green plate). The recipe said use vanilla sugar, however for my own personal tastes this was too sweet. I searched the internet for a similar recipe and trialled it last weekend. I added some vanilla essence but didn't use vanilla sugar. They were ok, though I still remain unconvinced by the texture. I will also need to experiment with the thickness of each biscuit. This weekend I intend to make the recipe twice, once with semolina and once with ground almonds. The human guinea pigs will then be called upon to cast their votes.

technology fails me

I am trying to set up the photo thingy so I can 'proudly' display my attempts at baking. However, the evil computer goblins have other ideas and they refuse to let it work...for now! I shall not be defeated by the little folk who mean me no good will!
In baking news I have made a second attempt at a jammy dodger recipe, not as burnt this time but definitely needs more vanilla!

the beginning..was a long time ago

I have not posted since November 2008! Somewhat slack of me but it can't be helped. I have now found my way over a mountain of flour, crossed over the sea of egg and waded through the quicksand of sugar to find my way back to this blog. So much has happened, so much has been baked, so much has been eaten. And so far no food poisoning....yet!

I shall meander off to consider what to comment on in particular and to delve into the pages of my recipe books.