Dienstag, 24. Juli 2012

vegan cinnamon cut-out cookies

kids wanted to cut out cookies today, so i obliged. turned out nicely.

150g margarine
120g sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
250g flour

Cream margarine and sugar. Add cinnamon and continue creaming. Knead in flour quickly with cold hands. Depending on your marge, you may need a little extra flour. Chill in the fridge at least for a couple of hours, better over night.
Roll out to about 3mm thickness. Cut out into any shape desired. Bake at 175 degrees for just under 10 mins or until just about to brown (as the dough is brown, it is fun guessing when that will be!).
Really cinnamony, but I should think one could experiment with flavourings, making vanilla cookies by adding ground vanilla or vanilla essence, lemon cookies by adding grated lemon zest or whatever strikes your fancy.

sweet potato, cauliflower and chickpea curry

improvised yumminess

2 tbsp oil
1 heaped tsp cumin seeds
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 dried red chillies
2 tsp finely chopped or grated ginger root
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 heaped tsp ground coriander
2 big pieces cinnamon bark
4 green cardamom pods
2 sweet potatoes, cubed
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp amchoor (mangopowder, optional)
1 medium cauliflower, broken into pieces
1 can chickpeas, drained
salt to taste

Heat the oil. Start browning the cumin seeds, then add onions, chillies, ginger and garlic. When the onion softens, add coriander, cardamom and cinnamon. Fry to release their aroma, then add the sweet potato, turmeric and amchoor and cover with water. Add the chickpeas and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, add the cauliflower and cook till done.