Advent 2025 - Day 16

[wiseheart]

I've made the flourless almond cookies today, for my friend Evie's sake, who has recently developed gluten intolerance. They turned out well enough, but if I ever make them again I'll use ground almonds instead of chopped ones and will skip the cooked chocolate filling for simple ganache. Or chocolate butter cream.

I also cooked lunch: Kleingehacktes with mashed potatoes, which Mum appreciated very much. This is a dish from our childhood that I improvise from time to time because I don't know how Grandma used to make it. But it's yummy, so I don't really worry about it.

For the rest of the day I was mostly lazy. I read fanfic while the physiotherapist lady was working with Mum, then I took a nice, long nap, and then we watcher the Great Christmas Bake-Off. After that I prepared some things for tomorrow's baking round - the beginnings of the ma'amoul dough need a night in the fridge because they contain semolina. I never made this particular recipe before, so I'm a bit anxious, but I hope it will work. Apparently, this is how they make ma'amoul for Christmas in Nazareth, so it would be very fitting. Last year I made the idiot-proof Iranian version. I'm going to make two different fillings, one with date paste and one with walnuts and cardamom; I'm looking forward to what they'll be like.

In theory, I've got two more sorts of biscuits on my baking plan. But if I feel too tired by Friday, I'll simply skip them. Too bad, as those are some of my absolute favourites, but I'm only willing to keep baking as long as I actually enjoy it.

Comments

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

Fortunately my need for baking has cooled off quickly. I do not like to bother family and friends with cookies which always look a bit off. Yours, on the contrary, always look perfect...

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Because I don't take photos of the ugly ones! 😇

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

but I'm only willing to keep baking as long as I actually enjoy it.
good

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

No need to put pressure on myself, is there?

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Baking should be fun, or what's the point? It's not like it works out much cheaper after you've bought all the unusual ingredients. I'm sure your friends and family will enjoy the love you put into every bits.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

They do. And harried grandmothers like Elise are freed from baking duty before Christmas, which they say is the best Christmas gift they could get. :)

[meathiel]

I had to google ma'amoul because I had no idea what they were.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I only learned about them due to the Great British Bake-Off.