Jalapeno Bagels

Bagels. They just remind me of New York City. In my mind I'm sure people eat them during their morning commute with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. If this assumption is incorrect, I don't want to know!

Bagels aren't big in Australia... there is a perfunctory offering in supermarkets of either plain or cinnamon raisin, and they can be hard to find. Why? I've no idea. Bagels are amazing. Bagels are crunchy and chewy and delicious with cream cheese and should be delivered to my door in a variety of flavours on a regular basis.

The humble jalapeno bagel entered my stratosphere when we went to visit Veggie Dad's brother in Vancouver. The jalapeno bagel entered my mouth one morning and I did not want it to leave. I envied those that could easily purchase the gigantic bag that from the nearest Safeway and pop them into a toaster without a care in the world, ready for breakfast any time. 

When we stopped in New York on our whirlwind North American adventure, I ate bagels. I ate a lot of bagels.



I could have eaten them at the top of the Empire State Building.




I could have eaten them in Central Park.




I could have eaten them in Grand Central Station.




I could have eaten them in Times Square.




Me and Teddy Roosevelt could have eaten them at the American Museum of Natural History.



I could have eaten them while looking at the Statue of Liberty.



I could have eaten them at the New York Public Library. Would probably get thrown out though...




I could have eaten them on Broadway.



I could have eaten them on the Staten Island Ferry, looking at the New York City skyline.

When we got home, the first thing I did was make a batch of jalapeno bagels. And they go a little something like this. (And are way easier than I ever imagined!)

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup lukewarm water

1/2 teaspoon dried yeast

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

5 cups flour

1/3 cup jalapenos

Directions:

1. Mix water, yeast, salt and sugar. Add flour and jalapenos and mix into a ball.

2. Knead for 10 minutes. You may need to add more flour if necessary, until dough is stiff. I use jalapenos in a jar and they can be a bit damp, and need more flour. You could also press out the liquid with paper towels.

3. Let dough rest 10 minutes, then cut into 12 pieces.

4. Roll each into a sausage shape. Overlap the two ends and make sure they stick, turning them into little rings.

5. Cover with a damp towel and let rise 1 - 1.5 hours.

6. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Place bagels in boiling water until they float to the top - about 20 seconds.

7. Remove, draining all water and place on a greased tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Now I can eat jalapeno bagels in my own kitchen. And back yard. And dining room. And bedroom. And anywhere I damn well please! They also freeze well, but you might want to cut them in half first.

Australia Day - Pumpkin Scones

Fancy a scone, dear?

There are a number of recipes that people think are quintissentially "Australian"... quite a lot of which we inherited from the British when they colonised this country in 1788. Scones are one of them.

But nobody made scones like Queensland senator and wife of the most corrupt politician Australia has ever seen - Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen. Famous for her homely sayings, pumpkin scone recipes and basically being a puppet for her husband, poor Flo once said she hoped people remembered her for being a senator that baked scones, not just the whole scone thing.

Sorry Flo.

Her husband, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was a highly-autocratic, shady, corrupt, paranoid politician that had Queensland Police in his back pocket, accepted bribes from all and sundry, actively discriminated against Aboriginals (and even tried to prevent them from being allowed to vote), had a hand in just about every development in the state, hated the media and worked actively to stop them reporting on or investigating his dealings, sued for defamation at will using taxpayer's money, blackmailed people, supported apartheid, created laws banning people from protesting his decisions, and when asked about his dealings, famously kept repeating "don't you worry about that".

Flo made scones.

Joh was our longest-serving state Premier, being in power from 1968 to 1987. His corruption was finally brought to light after the ABC aired an episode on Four Corners about some mighty shady dealings with brothels and bribes, and finally an inquiry was ordered into his alleged misconduct.

He was then tried for perjury over the evidence he presented to the Fitzgerald Inquiry, but the jury was deadlocked, thanks to the foreman being a Bjelke-Petersen sympathiser. Joh was announced "too old" for a retrial.

He then sued for $353 million compensation. He lost.

From Queensland's sordid history comes the iconic food that went right along with it - poor old Flo's scones. Which are actually quite delicious. So when you're baking this little piece of history, you now have some fabulous talking points to mull over while you put the kettle on and get out your best tea towel on Australia Day.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup cold mashed pumpkin 
2 cups self raising flour

Method:

1. Cream the butter, sugar and salt.
2. Add egg, then pumpkin and mix in flour lightly until dough comes together.

3. Turn onto a floured board and pat dough to about 1/2 inch thick.

4. Cut out rounds and put on a tray, quite close together.

5. Bake in a hot oven 223-250C for 15-20 minutes.

Image credit

Christmas Craft Market

On the weekend, my sister and I took her little munchkins to the local Christmas craft market.

These are their stories.

in pictorial form.

I do love a nice, nana-baked item.

butter and jellies and jams, oh my!

This one came home with me.

So did this.

aaaaaand this. I love John Steinbeck, and I love East of Eden. My grandpa introduced me to him (figuratively, of course) in my early teens and he's been quite the topic of conversation among the hundreds of letters we wrote to each other over the course of my life. When Veggie Dad and I were married, we named all the tables after great authors of literature, and we named the bridal table after Steinbeck. A little way of having my grandpa with us on that day. I miss him <3

My nephew was such a darling, keeping his little sister amused while mama and I browsed.

When we came home, it was imperative we have a tea party and eat all the goodies we bought.

This little poppet sent my hormones OFF. THE. CHARTS.

So I demanded hugs. lots of hugs.

I love this sweet, generous, thoughtful child as if he were my own.

So, how was your weekend? indulge in any nana-baked treats? get baby hugs? Tell me all about it :)