African Vanielje on Apr 18 2009 at 9:22 am | Filed under: baking, breakfast, sweet kitchen
Berried treasure chests filled with gold
This morning when I got up, I already knew what kind of a day it was going to be. All night the wind howled as our timber frame house creaked and rocked around me like a reaver’s lugger. I didn’t actually need to open my eyes as I rolled out of my berth (sorry, bed) to know that no summer sunshine beckoned. No way was I going to greet the day as per normal, by flinging open the doors onto my deck to make my salutations. Instead I swaddled myself in multiple layers of cotton and cashmere, wool and warmth, then reinforced this internally with a cup of steamy mocha. Mmm…delicious!
With all my defences in place I felt impervious to the whispering white fingers of early morning mist, and I opened my heart and mind to the vision that greeted me as we rounded the mountain, and the expanse of False Bay came into full view. As I said, I knew it was going to be a Smuggler’s day.
The huge, open bay that we gaze at everyday was suddenly shrouded in secrets, swathed in nearly as many layers of grey as I. I could almost feel, but not quite see, the mist parting to give us just a glimpse of a time gone by, perhaps 300 years ago, when sailors still stopped at the Cape for fresh victuals and there must have been some intrepid souls who took the opportunity to indulge in a little illicit trading.
Somehow it was fitting that the first thing on my baking agenda this morning was a deli favourite. We call them Berried Treasure Chests, because they are shaped like miniature chests, which broken open, reveal their treasure of golden ground almonds and spiced berries. Less fanciful people might call them friands.
To make them is simplicity itself, the difficulty comes in leaving them overnight before you eat them. This is not strictly necessary, but I’m going to make it part of my recipe, as given just a little extra time to let the almonds develop, these little treasures will be doubly rewarding, and just the thing to go with a cup of rum laced coffee on a secretive Autumn day.
Leave them overnight??? I don’t think so… Well, maybe one.
katie’s last blog post..Burgers Stuffed with Goat Cheese; the search continues
They sound wonderful – perfect for autumn mornings!
Kit’s last blog post..Eggs Excess
Katie, I promise you it’s worth the self discipline. Love the sound of your burgers. Just popping over to check them out.
Kit, they are super wonderful because they take about 15 minutes, if that, excluding oven time.
I know – I’m also still giggling at the insane notion that there will be any left the followign morning!! Beautiful post
Jeanne’s last blog post..Nectarine & ginger tarte tatin
These look so good and the name is also fantastic, I would love to try them.
Thanks Glennis, I hope you do. Let me know how they turn out, and whether you can wait a day to eat them.
I can almost smell these…
I love how you’ve done your blog. It’s a pleasure to read!
Nicole’s last blog post..What I’ve Been Up To Lately…
Thanks Nicole. That’s a lovely thing to say.
I made these last night and they are absolutely delectable. Recipe is perfect besides the suggestion to refridgerate and wait until the next day to eat!!!