Ghriyba - Moroccan shortbread cookie

Ghriyba is a childhood favorite cookie of mine. This Moroccan version of a shortbread cookie has a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth texture which I really love. It's typically enjoyed with a glass of hot Moroccan mint tea :o)

There are many version of this Moroccan cookie. The kind I will be sharing with you today is made with finely ground almonds and golden flax seeds. Traditionally, this kind is made with almonds and sesame seeds, but since I'm allergic to sesame seeds, I used flax seeds instead, which works great.

I challenge you to "go Moroccan" and give these cookies a try. You won't be disappointed :o) If you do, I would love to hear how you liked it.

Nice crackly top!

World Bread Day 2014 - Aniseed Braid

It's been exactly two years this month since I started baking our bread. No more chemical-laden store bread. Of course, I had to practice a lot. The road from "door knob" to edible/soft/fluffy bread was not an easy one and there are no shortcuts, however, the reward for perseverance is there, waiting for you, every time you bake a successful loaf of bread. I still beam with pride every time I bake a perfect loaf of bread :o)

A slice of billowy soft enriched bread with licorice-y aroma. Yum!

In support of World Bread Day 2014, an event to "honor our daily" bread, hosted by Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka kochtopf, I contribute this Aniseed Braid. I served it with a homemade Minestrone soup, slathered with butter. It was a big hit with my guests.

ABC - Cinnamon-Apple Twist Bread

Whether we like it or not, summer is over and fall is here. I love baking in the fall. Apples and pumpkin everywhere. The smell of warm spices wafting through the air in the kitchen. While perusing through King Arthur Flour's recipes, I came to a screeching halt when I saw this recipe and knew it would have to be a Fall recipe choice for us ABC bakers.

So this month's ABC recipe for Cinnamon-Apple Twist Bread is like one big braided cinnamon roll with the addition of apples. It looks so beautiful when it comes out of the oven, trumped only by the wonderful taste. For me, and others who tasted it, it was love at first bite :o)

Cinnamon-Apple Twist Bread slices (loaf #2). Yum!

If you'd like to join the ABC bakers in their monthly baking adventures, please go to the ABC blog for more information.