May Cookie of the Month: ANZAC Biscuits

The May cookie of the month was the ANZAC Biscuit, popular in New Zealand and Australia, particularly around ANZAC Day in late April.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. During WWI, the women on the homefront sent to their Anzacs soldiers simple cookies that were made to endure a long journey across the sea. No eggs were used as most poultry farmers had joined the war effort. Plus, the lack of eggs meant the cookies would keep longer.

Today, the Anzac biscuit remains a very popular treat in Australia and New Zealand. They are made using rolled oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, baking soda, boiling water, and an ingredient known as golden syrup, which is a pale treacle. We used Lyle’s Golden Syrup, which in 2006 was declared by the Guinness World Records to be Britain's oldest brand. 

Treacle, by the way, is made from the syrup that remains after sugar is refined. It's not the tastiest sweetener in the world, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

Hall of Science

Last Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside. But since it was the last weekend day we had to use a coupon we purchased for the NYC Hall of Science, we spent the day inside exploring the mysteries of elementary school level science. Other than the dissection of the cow's eye (yes, seriously) this is about as much science as our kids could tolerate.

The Princess and the Prism

She's blinding him with science

Kate was attacked by a mirror during her daily jumping jack routine

H is not enthused (he said it was just his mere image)

E is a little more enthused (this is *reflective* of her personality)

None of these perspective shots came our particularly well ... so you get to see them all!

Why I was never good at the limbo

There's actually no mirror here

Kate's fast ball is faster when she's wearing her purse

Maybe mom shouldn't be showing H how to throw ...

It's a good thing she's in a cage

According to H, this was the most fun area of the whole place

Twins!

April Cookie of the Month - Nan Khatai

Put the kettle on and take out a bag of masala chai tea, because for April's Cookie of the Month we brought the flavors of India to the grandpas' mouths through a rich, buttery and crispy Indian shortbread cookie known as Nan Khatai.

Their history is complicated. It starts with Dutch explorers who set up a bakery in India. The Dutch leave and Indians take over. Then come the British with their love of shortbread biscuits. The popularity of Maglai Cuisine in India (under the Mughal, with lots of Persian spices and dried fruit) causes the shortbread  biscuit to acquire spices and then the name "Irani Biscuit." Then, somehow through the association of being Persian, comes the Persian name "Nankhatai," which means "bread of Cathay" or Chinese bread.

Thankfully, while the history is complicated, the recipe is simple; so simple, that Kate let the kids get really involved this month ... too involved. There was a lot of dumping outside the bowl, blowing flour, squishing dough between fingers, and finger licking, and unsanctioned cookie eating. But, despite the mess, the results are quite addictive.

In India, these crumbly treats, which are often enjoyed around the holidays, come in a variety of flavors, mostly nut-based. In fact, in a lot of ways, they're like our Pecan Sandies. But, to differentiate them and to really get a flavor of the Subcontinent, we decided to drop a mixture of pistachio, walnut, and cardamom in the middle of each cookie.