Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Tuesday 21 October 2008

One of the nicest things about living in a village is that you know everyone and everyone knows you. Now, I can imagine that if you liked a lot of privacy or had secrets you wished to keep, a village wouldn't be the place for you. Luckily, I don't fall into either of these categories. I have often borrowed a cup of flour or sugar or other baking ingredient from one of my neighbours and there is a very nice community feel. In true village spirit, this morning the postman knocked on my door (he has recently been having a few samples from the book so knows I like to bake) to ask whether I could help him with cup conversations in a recipe he had. Having just "cup and stick" converted 365 recipes, I proudly knew the answers without even looking it up! In return I asked for the recipe and was so intrigued by the limited list of ingredients (no flour or butter?) that I made them in my lunch break today and can happily report that they are yummy, although very sweet! I added chocolate to the recipe in the hope that they would taste like my favourite Reeses peanut buttercups. Not quite...but they were nice all the same

Postman Howard's Peanut Butter Cookies

200g/7oz caster sugar
340g/12oz crunchy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
200g/7oz milk or plain chocolate, chopped into chunks.

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5/190C/375F and grease a large baking tray. Cream together the sugar and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again. Stir through the chocolate. Place small balls of the dough on the tray and press down. The cookies do not spread very much. Bake for 7 - 8 minutes until golden brown.

6 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Ohhh, these are the infamous peanutbutter cookies that bake like magic with no flour and eggs. I have never made them myself, but loads of people swear they are the best. I have lived in a small village for over five years now and I can honestly say that I have not met one soul here. Probably because of my line of work. It doesn't really allow me the time to go out and about. I am sure they are all quite friendly and whatnot. I wish I did have the time to get to know them all.

Joanna said...

These sound intriguing - how much butter do you put in? And could you leave out the chocolate?

I think your postman may be on to something!

Joanna

Anonymous said...

how can you grease a tray with sugar?

Milhan said...

I love these cookies...I bake them all of the time! However, I just use a cup of peanut butter, a cup of sugar and one egg...and then I add in some semi-sweet chocolate chips (though not necessary). I bake them on parchment, no greasing necessary.

They are great to make in a hurry, when you want something sweet but don't want all of the prep. I like them even better the next day cold out of the refrigerator.

Tammy said...

wow, we must be on the same wave length! Look what I made last week http://weetreatsbytammy.blogspot.com/2008/10/peanut-butter.html

:0)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have never lived in a small village where I know everyone and vise versa but it would be nice to know all my neighbours. O live in a condo and can honestly say I have never met a soul:D