Nuts and Snack Mixes Archives

AUSTRALIAN CRYSTALLIZED GINGER COOKIES

A customer sent us this fabulous recipe. She maintains that an excellent quality crystallized ginger is essential. She strongly urges using Australian crystallized ginger from JR Mushrooms & Specialties or OliveNation to produce these soft, chewy ginger cookies. Let us have your feedback.

GINGER SPICE COOKIES

4c.       flour

5 tsp.   ground ginger

4 tsp.   baking sode

2 tsp.   ground cinnamon

2 tsp.   ground cloves

1½       tsp. kosher salt

5 oz.    Australian crystallized ginger, chopped

2c.       dark brown sugar

1c.       vegetable shortening (at room temperature)

½c.      butter, softened

2          large eggs

½c.      molasses (not dark or robust)

Granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first six ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Mix in Australian crystallized ginger.

In an electric mixer, beat the butter, shortening and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix until just combined. Add molasses and beat until blended. Add flour mixture and mix until just blended. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Add a few tablespoons of the granulated sugar into a small bowl. Roll the cookie dough into balls measuring about 1 to 1½ inch balls. Roll the balls in the sugar to coat completely. Place the balls on greased (or silpat-lined) cookie sheets spaced about 2 inches apart

Bake cookies until cracked on top but still soft to touch, about 10-11 minutes. Reverse the cookie sheets after about 5 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Makes about 54-60 cookies

FLAXSEEDS-ONE OF THE SUPER FOODS

Why have flaxseeds been referred to as one of the ‘super foods’? There are many reasons. These tiny, nutty-like seeds are loaded with health benefits. Consider the fact that flax seeds help fight high cholesterol, fight diabetes, are loaded with lignans, and alpha linolenic acid, which is known as a key player in the fight against cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer. Flaxseeds are also a notable source of omega-3 fatty acids which decrease blood clotting, prevent heart arrhythmias and combat inflammation. In addition they are delicious. Sprinkle some ground flaxseeds into your morning yogurt, cereals, salads, soups and of course use them to make delicious flaxseed muffins.