Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wie Zoet is Krijgt Lekkers



It's that time of year again!

Sinterklaas is officially in the country- and this year we were lucky enough to welcome him in my city! I've secretly been wishing for that since I discovered Sinterklaas some eleven years ago! Hans laughs at the fact that I'm still such a kid. Should I be ashamed to tell you that I was more excited than Kirstie when we met one of the most famous Pieten, (Sinterklaas helpers), the very cool Testpiet? Well, I'm not!

To celebrate, Kirstie and I spent an evening baking kruidnoten. It has been a tradition to do this a day before Sinterklaas arrives in the country. We will also be making more next Thursday evening, just in time for the big event on Friday the 5th of December!

Here's the recipe, which is foolishly easy!

Paola's Kruidnoten

250 g self- raising flour
pinch of salt
80 g dark brown sugar
45 g light brown sugar
1 tbsp Speculaas spices
100 g soft butter
3-4 tbsps milk

Preheat oven to 150C and line a cookie sheet with baking paper.
Sift flour, add sugar spices and salt. Stir well.
Add butter, in small pieces, and the milk. Knead well until the dough comes together. I always do this with my Kitchen Aid.
Make small balls the size of marbles and arrange them on a baking sheet with a little room between them. Flatten them a little and bake for about 20 minutes.
The kruidnoten keep well for about 2-3 days.

6 comments:

Gabriella said...

Hoi Paola,

Jij schrijft je NL blog niet meer,daarom probeer ik hier in contact te komen met jou. Ik neem aan dat je druk bezig bent met je school en studie.

Ik heb wel een vraagje over je laatste recept. Waar koop je het kastanjepuree???
Ik heb al overal geprobeerd en het lukt niet. Ik neem ze altijd mee van Hongarije, maar nu met het kleintje vind ik het lastig om grote bagages te hebben. :-)))

Groetjes,
Gabriella

Paola Westbeek said...

Dag Gabriella,

Wat leuk om weer van jou te horen! Alles goed? Kastajnepuree koop ik meestal in Frankrijk, maar hij is ook te koop in Amstelveen, Kingsalmarkt http://www.kingsalmarkt.nl/

Groetjes!
Paola

Lisa said...

Yea, Sinterklaus!
Paola, what would I use in America for the Speculaas spices?
L. xoxo

Paola Westbeek said...

Hi Lisa!

Too bad for us- Sinterklaas is gone. :( But hey... Santa's on the way!

You can make make your own Speculaas spices by mixing 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp mace, 3 tsps cinnamon and a pinch of pepper.

hugs,
Paola

A Dutch Brit said...

Hi Paola,
isn't it great to have traditions, I always make gluhwein to drink on 'pakjesavond', we celebrated yesterday. The smell is so warming, and we also do cheese fondue (so easy!) as it's such a busy time what with the 'surprise' package and rhymes.
I'm am big kid too! I'm not ashamed either....(even though everyone else is)...they disown me when I wave enthusiatically to Sinterklaas!
Vanessa

Paola Westbeek said...

Ah, I'm glad I'm not alone Vanessa! Hans always has to laugh when I say how much I hate Sinterklaas leaving! Well, I'm happy that the tree is up at least!! ;)

paola