Sugar and Spiced Walnuts

Ingredients:

1/4 cup water
170 g caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 nutmeg
1/4 ginger
200 g walnuts

Method:

Roast the walnuts in a pre heated oven on a baking tray for 10-15 minutes until they are browned and the kitchen smells nutty.

Whilst they are roasting, add the sugar, water and spices to a pan and heat up to the boil, until it thickens.

Take the nuts out of the oven, and add to the caramelised sauce. Mix.

Place the newly coated walnuts on a tray lined with baking parchment and allow to cool. Place them in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.

Another Russian Desert:

Russian Tea cakes

Russian teacakes appeared in Russia in the 18th century. They are a kind of pastry/cookie commonly eaten around Christmas.

Ingredients:

227 grams of butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
110 grams of icing sugar
260 grams flour
1/4 tsp salt
120 grams of chopped pecans or walnuts.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C. Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl and add 2 tsp of vanilla extract. Cream and gradually add the icing sugar. Beating the mixture until it is light and fluffy.

Sift the flour and salt into the butter mixture and mix in gently.

Add the pecans and walnuts and mix well.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and roll them in powdered sugar whilst they are still hot, then again when they are completely cooled.

Once cooled they can be stored in an air tight container for up to 1 week.

http://www.learn-about-tea.com/russian-tea-cakes.htm