Choc-chip Cookies in a Jar

Tomorrow at work we are doing a Secret Santa. The way that it works is that each of us has to bring a gift  and then we each get a number and then, according to number, each person chooses a gift.

If you don't like your gift, you can swap it with those that have chosen something before you. So essentially number one has to stick with what they have unless number two or above wants what they have. The last number is best off because they have the most choice. They can swap with anyone.

I love this idea, but the limit on what we could spend, to make it fair to everyone, was R50. Now there is not a great deal that you can buy for that apart from some shower gel and half a sponge - and really what are you going to do with half a sponge?


As everyone knows, Santa Clause loves cookies, and as part of my Christmas baking, I've been looking up lots and lots of biscuit recipes. But alas, I just haven't had the time to make them. Coming to the end of the year and, along with that, the end of our project, the mere fact of trying to gather all the ingredients, let alone make said cookies just seemed impossible to fit in. If only all of the ingredients were in one place....

Then one morning it dawned on me, a premix would be the perfect gift! If someone doesn't have the time or the inclination to really bake, then this is perfect for them. Show me a person who doesn't think that fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies isn't a nice thing to have in the house over the holidays!

Ha! I thought not!

The instructions are really simple and all the dry ingredients are in one place. One needs only add melted butter, a beaten egg and a teaspoon of vanilla essence.

Voila, there they are for you to put out with a glass of milk for Santa.

Even more fun: Make them with the kids!

Weekend Treats: Baby tomato, basil and mozzarella tartlets

The Spanish, in fact many, mediterranean countries will not let you have a drink without a little something      on the side to absorb the alcohol-                    How civilised!  
And in that country (Spain) where the sun goes down after ten in summer and where dinner doesn't officially happen before 9pm, "a little something" is all to well appreciated at the beginning of the evening. But having to make a tapas (as evening snacks are called in Spain or pintxos in Basque Country - pronounced 'pinchos'), should not take a great deal of time. After all, who wants to be slaving away when what you should really be doing is indulging in a cold cerveza (a beer - usually a draft-  in Spanish, which come standard at 250ml) or a glass of white wine and the balmy evening.


These little tomato, basil and mozzarella tartlets take just minutes to prepare and are full of punchy flavour!
Here's what you'll need:
Makes 20



One packet of puff pastry
Olive oil
20 mini Italian tomatoes
20 basil leaves
50 grams (about) grated mozzarella cheese


Roll out the puff pastry so that it is about a quarter bigger in size. Then cut into squares (four strips down and five across). Brush each square with olive oil. Place a basil leaf on each, top with a good pinch of mozzarella cheese (grate more if you run out) and then a mini tomato cut into halves. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place on a greased baking tray and cook for 20 minutes or until golden brown at 180 degrees celsius.

Serve with drinks!