Since last we spoke, I dropped out of blogging society in order to host my Christmas party on Monday night, and generally play a bit of catch up. How nice and relaxing! There have been a constant stream of things that need to be done, but it has been pleasant and happily busy, which is one of the perks of this time of year, I suppose. Here are a few pictures of the food situation at the soiree:
Directly above are some improvised tiny, baked spinach/cheese tartlets with sliced cherry tomatoes. I made them with one of Nigella's amazing, buttery crusts from How to be a Domestic Goddess that I simply divied up and pressed into muffin tins. To the right, on the pink plate, are the most amazing, chewy, perfect ginger cookies. These cookies are amazing. They make me feel like all other roundy, sweet things so commonly referred to as "cookies" aren't really deserving of the title. These are cookies, my darlings. The real thing. They bake up perfectly round and with these photogenic little crevices...
Anyway, you must make some. That is, if you are still in holiday baking mode. You could obviously make them anytime, maybe in January to take some of the edge off of the Holiday jet-lag.
Ginger Cookies
Bake time: 12 minutes per batch
4 1/2 c all purpose flour 4 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves 1 1/2 shortening
2 c granulated sugar 2 eggs
1/2 c molasses 1/2 c coarse sugar or regular ol' granulated
1.) Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and a pinch of salt.
2.) In a large bowl beat shortening for 30 seconds. Add the 2 cups granulated sugar, and beat til' combined. Beat in the eggs and molasses until combined. beat in half of flour mixture. Stir in remaining flour mixture. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, measure out lumps of dough and then roll them into balls between your palms. You can then roll your dough liberally in the leftover sugar. Place the balls at least 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3.) Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookies are puffy and light brown. Make sure not to overbake! These should settle down to be soft and chewy. Cool briefly on the cookie sheet, and then transfer to wire racks or paper towels.
These can be frozen, or kept for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
So tasty!
Another thing, (besides amazing cookies) that I'm loving is my beautiful 1930's portable typewriter, recently Ebay'd:
Last, just a bit of eye candy, this beautiful British fashion magazine Lula. I snapped it up at Borders the other day, and its the closest thing to an Emily-perfect fashion magazine that contemporary publishers could hope to provide...very vintage and feminine and quirky. Here are some examples of their offerings, beautiful scrap-book style pages of inspiration, fashion spreads with the likes of the ridiculously lovely Zooey Deschanel, a tribute to saddle shoes, and mini-interviews with cute, creative girls that I would like to meet:
You guys would love this magazine. Really.
Well, tomorrow begins my string of mini-Christmases. Sarah is flying in from NY and I'm going to Atlanta to have Christmas with her and celebrate her sister/my buddy Jenny's birthday. Then it's back here, and then living it up, Christmas-style, as much as possible til' Tuesday. I'll be back before then, thuogh, at least to wish you a happy day. Enjoy it all...all these holiday days, but don't beat yourself up in the process. Thank you for being the way you are. And thank you for reading.
Comments (27)
It all looks so fabulous! Merry Christmas to you my friend!! xo
joleen · December 21, 2006 at 01:26 AM
I've been looking in all my cookbooks for the perfect gingerbread cookie recipe -- thank you for sharing yours, I'm eager to try.
dean · December 21, 2006 at 02:10 AM
gingerbread! yumm!!! thanks for the recipe! love your artwork. seasons greetings. :)
shadowsandclouds · December 21, 2006 at 02:33 AM
I wish I could have come to your party! That tablecloth is so pretty I love the candy stripe ruffle.In fact I could almost see you wearing it! tee-hee!!
Have a fantastically magical Christmas full of rich blessings xxx
Kristy · December 21, 2006 at 03:40 AM
Merry Christmass dear Emily! And the cookies look almost prettier than the typewriter.. I adore the typwriter.. is it the same typwriter from one of your drawings? Like the Anaïs Nin drawing? Love it! Hope you use it too.. there are plenty of stories still waiting to come out of that machine..
digibudi · December 21, 2006 at 04:47 AM
wow! it all sounds wonderful. i plan on making some cookies while home...your recipe is now added to my list. :) and i've been coveting a typewriter for awhile. i want to be able to type over fabrics and collages. maybe over some pages from my copy of lulu i hope to pick up in ny.
happy holidays my sweet!
risa · December 21, 2006 at 08:14 AM
I post my delicious recipe too...the pictures in lula magazine are totally beautiful, i love that look
Carmen · December 21, 2006 at 08:40 AM
Oooh--ginger cookies recipe; I might have to try that! I'm seriously addicted to ginger cookies with my afternoon tea. Such a nice repast! :)
I saw Lula at my local Borders the other day as well. I stood there, oohing and aahing over the loveliness for the longest time. Alas, my extravigant Christmas spending meant that I couldn't buy it now. So thanks for posting the images--they're just so pretty and inspiring! :D
Have a lovely, safe and joyful holiday!!!! :)
Casey · December 21, 2006 at 09:47 AM
Oh my...you're going to get me addicted to another magazine aren't you...
Jenny Rebecca · December 21, 2006 at 09:51 AM
I have loved Zooey for years!
Also when it says "1 1/2 shortening" in the recipe is it cups?
rachel · December 21, 2006 at 09:55 AM
Merry Christmas my new found friend.
teresa (maggiegracecreates) · December 21, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Ah saddle shoes ... how I remember them fondly from my childhood. For many years as a child I would choose those great white/black shoes as my new pair of back-to-school shoes. I thought they were the greatest thing ever. :-) Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Beautiful table! Happy Holidays!
Tami · December 21, 2006 at 10:39 AM
What a lovely and colorful party!
Tiffany · December 21, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Merry Christmas(es)!!
The tartlets look divine (as do the cookies, but that goes without saying). I actually own "Domestic Goddess" annnnnnnd am definatley checkin the recipe this evening!
Nichole · December 21, 2006 at 02:06 PM
This magazine seems to be very interesting! and your table is very nice!
cecile · December 21, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Ohhhh your table!!! What a festive festive happy happy fun fun party!! My goodness!! So sweet!!
Your cookies look perfect!! Cannot wait to try them!! Maybe tonight!!
And now you even have Aaron drooling!! I had to call him over to peek at your fabulous typewriter!! Loving your new apt to bits!! Wish we lived next door!!
Happy Holidays you dazzling doll you!!
xoxo Jenny...and Aaron
jenny holiday · December 21, 2006 at 04:27 PM
oh my...I am so utterly, completely in love with your typewriter...
elisabetha · December 21, 2006 at 04:50 PM
I am a big fan of gingerbread - no, not ginger biscuits, ginger bread. In a loaf pan. With lemon icing. Mmmmmmm. Biscuits (cookies) are just not the same - I just don't think they should crunch like that. Maybe your recipe will provide me with the perfect compromise?
PS
I love your tablecloth.
Kate · December 21, 2006 at 07:14 PM
have a happy christmas, emily!!
lisa · December 21, 2006 at 09:23 PM
Your ginger cookies are EXACTLY like my grandmother's gingersnaps. She has them so down to a science that every single baked cookie is the exact same size, even though she rolls them by hand. And she always gets the exact same number from every batch. Perfection in a cookie!
Niki · December 21, 2006 at 10:16 PM
Hi Emily!
Got my pins today and they're beauteous! Have a great Christmas and a stunning 2007!
Mel x
Mellers2 · December 22, 2006 at 06:55 AM
Typewriters are the best!!!!
Mary Contrary · December 22, 2006 at 10:49 AM
Emily...Just introduced to your exquisites 2 weeks ago. My sister raved and I jumped on the big red wagon.. Thank you for the Ginger cookie recipe. Baking the bits tonight...You are a talent. Oh, the smiles that popped onto my face looking at all your works...You are a lovely colorful girl. Thank you for sharing!
VanessaValencia · December 22, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Hi, thanks for the recipe. I made the cookies for my holiday party and they were a hit. Merry Christmas
Melissa · December 26, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Do you know how much shortening you used by weight? converting from imperial to metric I am used to, but since we rarely use shortening over here and I am dying to try these - they look all kinds of awesome - I don't want to muck it up and put in way too much or little.
Kate · December 26, 2006 at 06:42 PM
Hello dear Emily! Thank you for the cookie recipe. I just made them today and they're delicious - so wonderful with a cup of hot tea!
Cheers, Sarah
geek+nerd · December 26, 2006 at 10:55 PM
I can't belive that you posted this ginger cookie recipe! I think that we were supposed to be great friends in another life. Seriously, I stumbled upon your beautiful work on myspace and began to look at your black appple store about a month ago. Then today, I linked to your blog and began reading. I love your style and your attitude and when I saw that you bake the EXACT same ginger cookie recipe that I do, wow... I love those cookies so much and have been making them for about 5 years every Christmas, and sometimes just to taste them. I have a box of them in the kitchen right now. I wish that I knew you so that we could share cookies and thrifting trips. I will have one in your honor instead. Have a great New Years!
Ensolette · January 01, 2007 at 12:24 PM