Cookbook Series I - Irish Stew

BHG website recipe. IRISH STEW

Couldn't find a solid piece of lamb at a pound, so I opted for ground veal instead. I just made veal meatballs, that I dropped in the stew. Did not add tapioca, so it was not thick, but the hearty vegetables made up for it.

4 out of 5. My father really enjoyed this one and had a second serving. Definitely making this again.

Gingerbread House 2011 - Construction

First time ever making a gingerbread house entirely from scratch. Not too happy with the result but it's still nice.

Phase 1 - Template and dough recipe
• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups solid vegetable shortening
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup robust (dark) molasses
Cream last four ingredients and gradually blend dry into wet.

Phase 2 - Roll out and shape I don't own a proper wood board so I just layed wax paper on the counter.

In the end I stuffed the house with ginger folk. My icicles got all runny so I had to use food dye to paint over the white and just left as is. Next year a traditional with trees.