Рецепт Time to Make the Donuts.
Dear Diary, This is month
ten of Jumanji. Just as the Covid
monster seemed to be going into hiding, it suddenly reared its massive head. It tricked us, just as we were beginning to
have fun, and life was going back to normal, once again. What the worst of it is, having the children
home, and they are missing out on all the fun.
What will November bring? Signed,
Feeling Doomed.
Dear Feeling Doomed, stop
complaining! You and your family have
each other. That’s more than many others,
in this overpopulated world, have. Would
you rather the outbreak of much deadlier diseases, so you can lose each
other? Your children are home, and not
having fun; well why is that? This is
the time that family should come together, not just to “make time”, but now
having the time to do fun things…together!
Signed, Diary.
Wow, even someone’s diary
is getting tired of all the “whoa-is-me” going round. Yes, it has been ten months of Covid-19
turning our lives upside down. It has
also been ten months of political, civil, and social unrest as well. However, this is where choice comes into
play; the choice of “Will I allow it to deflate and destroy me?”, or “Will I
stand tall, grab that negativity bull by its fiery horns, and ride it down into
the ground?”
One of my favorite
televised series is Good Witch, a Hallmark original that is about to air
its seventh season. Previously, there
were yearly movies about main character, Cassie Nightingale, a descendant of
the Merriwick clan. This is what many
would call, a “clean, goody two shoes” show, as there is no blood, gore, foul
language, or really nasty stuff that would make one cover the eyes and ears at
the same time. This is, however, one of
those shows that tugs at heart strings, makes one feel all lovey and comforting
inside, and teaches many, many lessons.
Cassie Nightingale has
traveled the world, and believes in, and practices, holistic “medicine”. Natural remedies using plants, essential
oils, crystals; what is usually referred to as “New Age”. While these practices stem from ancient
cultures such as Greece, Egypt, India, Japan and China; well it goes to show, “everything
old is new again”.
The main focus, in my
opinion, is that this show teaches good life lessons, and that any adversity
can be overcome. Just what we all need
to keep focusing on, not just for 2020, but for life in general. So, as we go into month eleven of Jumanji, focus
more on overcoming the negative, reach for the fun, whether alone or with
others, and cherish the moments.
Oh, Thanksgiving, a time
to be thankful for what we had, have or will have in the future; like fun. Think about this, how can anyone, for 10 months,
be complaining, arguing, harassing, just be plain old nasty to others, and then
suddenly be thankful? If we have, then
now is the time for a total turnaround in thinking and behavior.
Enough preaching, let’s
practice.
My new toy for 2020 is
donut pans; available in silicone (not a personal favorite), or non-stick metal
(a best buy, in my opinion). Donuts are
often fried, giving a light, airy texture to them. Baked donuts are denser which means longer
time to eat, longer time to savor the flavor.
I became fascinated with apple cider donuts, and the uses of cardamom
(also spelled cardamon) while watching, what else, Good Witch. Oh yes, I have used cardamom in recipes from
India, but have not really tried it in baking.Cardamom is from the
ginger family, and can be used whole or ground.
That chai tea or latte you enjoy so much, it contains cardamom. The flavor is savory, smoky, lemony and
minty; the aroma earthy; a complex herb.
Yes, herb, but once it is ground up, it becomes referred to as a
spice. One aspect you might appreciate,
for health reasons, is cardamom is an antioxidant.
With the Thanksgiving
holiday coming up, and apple cider often served to drink, why not eat it
too! This recipe is as close, considering the many
I have found, to the donuts seen on Good Witch – Curse from a Rose. It takes place during the last week of
October, ending with a Halloween festival.
The lesson learned is, “Take ownership for the choices you make, even if
you do not voice them out to others. If
the choice goes wrong, do not blame someone, who could not know your heart’s
true intention.”
Now go, bake up some
donuts, and HAVE FUN!!!
Apple Cider Donuts
(https://www.livinginsugar.com/2018/10/apple-cider-donuts-for-your-basic-witch/)
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups apple cider
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground
cinnamon
1 teaspoon Cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons unsalted
butter melted
1 large egg at room
temperature
1/2 cup packed light or
dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Topping:
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground
Cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
6 Tablespoons unsalted
butter, melted
Directions:
Reduce the
apple cider: Stirring occasionally, simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan
over low heat until you're left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10
minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. until you have 1/2 cup. Mine takes about
20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven
to 350°F. Spray donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Make the
donuts: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg
and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
Whisk the
melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract
together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk
everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
Spoon the
batter into the donut cavities—for ease, I highly recommend using a large
pastry bag with a round tip -- a zipped-top bag with a corner cut works as
well. Pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.
Bake for
10-15 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke
your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they're done.
Cool donuts for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and
bake the remaining donut batter.
Coat the
donuts: Combine the granulated sugar and spices together in a medium bowl. Once
cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then
generously in the apple spice topping.
Donuts are
best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature
for up to 2 days.
Makes 12
donuts.
Mary
Cokenour