Tea and Belgium Biscuits

Black tea was never a favourite of mine, as alluded to in previous posts. However I am happily being converted. I got up yesterday morning with an urge to bake some biscuits. I thought breaking out the old New Zealand classic such as  Anzac biscuits would be a treat for our "work-away" guests. 

We had plenty of rolled oats to make these nutty, chewy delights, apart from the fact that mysteriously the golden syrup had disappeared. I think the in-house 'Golden Syrup on White Bread sandwich monster' may have consumed the last measure from the can.  So I had to resort to my Plan B, breaking out my old faithful; The Edmonds Cookery Book ©. This book is a "must have" in every New Zealand household. Although I didn't have all the ingredients I had enough to make a half decent Belgium biscuit. Hallelujah!

Belgium biscuits are known for their mix of spices; ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice which when had with Kapiteas' Mystique Forest Black Fruit Tea is a great warming winter's morning tea. This tea has berry overtones which compliments this spice and fruit jam filled biscuit. With this tea I have become a black tea convert!!

The following recipe makes 18 larger sized biscuits when using a 6.5 cm biscuit cutter. To make a more dainty biscuit that is a great size for a high tea plate use the smaller 5 cm biscuit cutter which will make this mixture spread to make approximately 30 biscuits. 

Belgium Cookies - Jackie style:

125 grams butter                                                                         1 egg 
1/4 cup brown sugar                                                                   1 teaspoon Baking Powder
2 cups plain flour                                                                       1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger                                                          1 teaspoon mixed spice

Pre-heat oven to 180 C. 

Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and beat in well. Add the sifted flour, baking powder and spices and fold through well until it binds together to make a firm dough.

Place a dusting of flour on a board or bench and roll out the dough with a rolling pin until the dough is about 3-5 mm thick. Using a small biscuit cutter, cut out the biscuits and then place on a greased tray.

Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes until golden and firm, not hard to touch. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack to cool.

Icing :

2 Tablespoons butter                                                                 1 cup icing sugar
Water
A squeeze of lime or lemon juice  or a few drops of red food colouring
3 tablespoons of lemon or raspberry jelly crystals

Biscuit filling: 

Approximately 1/2 cup of raspberry jam

Melt butter in a bowl and add sifted icing sugar and juice to make the icing. Add a little hot water to thin the icing if it is too thick.

Ice the top of half of the biscuits. Sprinkle a large pinch of jelly crystals on the top of the icing.

On remaining biscuits spread a thin layer of raspberry jam on the base of the biscuit and place an iced cookie on top.

I enjoyed several of these biscuits with a hot cup of Kapiteas' Mystique Forest Black Fruit Tea.
This is a blend of premium full leaf black tea, raspberry pieces, cranberry pieces, pomegranate seeds, peony and natural flavours.

Brewing Instructions are:
Infuse one teaspoon of tea leaves to one cup of boiling water for 4 -5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.

Kapiteas: Is a tea and tea accessories retail shop, located on the outskirts of Paraparumu near Wellington. This is a delightful store with a large range of teas. It is well worth a visit with a very informative tea merchant/owner who originates from Singapore. Her enthusiasm about her product is not only about the taste of the teas she stocks but also about the healing and medicinal products these teas may have.

Our experience of tea tastings at this store was a delightful experience that certainly brought a smile to my day along, leaving for a few treats that I ended up purchasing. This experience encouraged me in my journey to try different teas and consequently soon lead to me begin this blog.  So go visit Kapiteas if you can and if you are unable to visit you can still check out Kapiteas full range on their website: www.kapiteas.co.nz

The Mystique Forest Black Fruit Tea product can be ordered online at: http://www.kapiteas.co.nz/#!product/prd1/3842432851/mystique-forest-black-fruit-tea 

Edmonds Cookery Book© : This cookbook can be found in New Zealand supermarkets and most book stores or can be ordered online from Amazon . Older versions can be purchased on www.trademe.co.nz.

Please Note: I have no vested interested in promoting any product mentioned in this blog.