tsunami, ponchos & russian teacakes
on a lighter note: move over, granny shawl! this season's fashion surprise: ponchos. yeah, you know, everyone's seen those shapeless, tent-like sweaters, right? think again! they've become de rigeur among the fashion cognoscente. for hip, young knitters & crocheters, they're the perfect project to make b/c they're fun to churn out. and they're ideal to wear as outerwear on a cool day, but light enough to keep on inside. and so i continue knitting like a fiend...
and now...i'm delivering on my promise to post some favorite recipes. we make Russian Teacake cookies every year at our house during the holidays. sometimes, i make these for friends as an xmas gift, and present them in a pretty tin, wrapped in red or green tissue paper. and i've taken them to holiday parties, where they're an instant hit. hence, i feel compelled to share the goodness. enjoy! (holiday diary updating streak to be continued later)...
RUSSIAN TEACAKES
*[Also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes, or Danish Wedding Cookies]
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
� cup sifted confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 and � cups all-purpose flour
� tsp salt
� cups finely chopped walnuts
Directions:
Thoroughly mix butter, sugar, and vanilla. Measure flour either by dipping or sifting method. Stir together with salt and blend into the butter/sugar/vanilla mixture. Mix in nuts. Chill dough for at least one hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough into one-inch balls. Place them on an un-greased cookie sheet. (These cookies do not really spread, so they can be placed fairly close together). Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from oven and roll in confectioners sugar while still warm. Cool the cookies on a wire rack and roll in confectioners sugar again once they are completely cool.
