Thursday, December 26, 2013

FRANKFURTER BETHMÄNNCHEN - Marzipan Biscuit


#FRANKFURT BETHMÄNNCHEN  #Marzipan Biscuit # GermanCookie#FRANKFURT BETHMÄNNCHEN  #Marzipan Biscuit # GermanCookie

This post was supposed to be published before Christmas,  I was not procrastinating this time. I was patient and wanted to think and absorb all the learning that went with this post, before I hit the publish button. It all started with my urge to bake German cookies that I had had a couple of years ago on my trip to Germany (I mention it in this post).  It was made from marzipan or almond flour. A query on FB let to a thread of recipes, but none of them were the one I was looking for. Thanks to Rumki (one of my friends on FB), who searched and found the recipe for me. I was really happy with the recipe and the outcome, it was exactly what I had in mind (the taste, texture and flavor) 

The next day I set up the props to take some pictures, something was amiss, after spending a couple of hours, I reached out to my photo critique forum on FB. I got a lot of inputs and was a bit confused on which one to go with. By the time the sun had already set, so that gave me some time to sink in all the ideas. That evening Sophia (a new member of the photo critique forum) pinged me on FB; at the time, I hardly knew her. We started talking about my pictures, and the first thing she told me was my strainer didn’t fit the picture: she asked me to replace it with an aged one. (See the picture of the shiny strainer). After a bit of research, I did manage to batter my poor strainer to give it a look of character. (You see what I did with it ;)) You don’t want to know the family’s reaction to this, so let’s just say that they are still recovering from it.  Sophia spent at least 2-3 hours trying to critique and guide me through my image. She’s an amazing artist: here is a link to her site. She gave me a lot of input on light, angle, and props and we talked for a long time about photography. There was really nothing in it for her, but she still spent the time and made the effort to help me understand the art behind the science. The images above are not exactly what I had in mind, they aren’t as good as I would have liked it to be, but they are special, as I made a new friend :) Thank you  Sophia for talking the time and making the effort. I call the whole exercise a brain work out.  


#FRANKFURT BETHMÄNNCHEN  #Marzipan Biscuit # GermanCookie


handful of blanched almonds 250g marzipan 
2-4 tbsp almond meal 1 egg white 1 tbsp flour 100g icing sugar plus more for dusting couple of drops of rose water

Knead together the marzipan, the egg white, the flour and the icing sugar, add the almond meal to make sure the dough is not too wet, if you do not need almond meal that’s fine. The recipe does not call for it, but I did need it as the dough was too wet. 

Make approx. 20-22 balls from the mixture. Press blanched almond into each one. 

Place the balls on a baking sheet and allow to dry at room temperature overnight. Bake in a preheated oven at 250°C for approx. five minutes until golden brown.

Sprinkle icing sugar ( optional). That’s the picture without the icing, but had to include the stainer ;)


#FRANKFURT BETHMÄNNCHEN  #Marzipan Biscuit # GermanCookie
I really am hoping to have a post up before the New Year, if not, wishing you guys A very Happy New Year. Lots n lots of love n hugs.

















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11 comments:

  1. Oh Simi, I not only had fun, I've found a great friend in you!
    Bernard Shaw once said “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”
    And I feel the same way - happy to share if anyone wants my ideas :). You are wonderful lady, your blog is so beautiful and your photography is so feminine and mature!
    It is pleasure to see you enjoyed our "session" and can't wait for the day we get together on coffee and marzipan biscuits... :) ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sophia,
      You rock! Can’t wait to meet you in person :)
      Thanks for all the lovely things you said here :)

      Delete
  2. The biscuits look so nice and tasty !

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  3. Biscuits look so nice and yumm...lovely looking pics :)

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  4. wow !!! this is really interestingn Simi ! Marzipan biscuts !! wow...n not even a drop of added fat, butter i mean. this is surely a keeper recipe. thanks a bunch for sharing.

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  5. I adore any baked goods with almonds. You did a great job!

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  6. I love marzipan, these biscuits sound amazing! And how lucky for you to meet a new friend and to get such valuable advice--it's definitely a learning process and so much more fun when you have someone by your side helping you!

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  7. The cookies are amazing and the picture are stunning.
    I just pinned em' and had to visit to read the story about the strainer..:). Happy Holiday sweety.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Asha, am sure you are convinced that am crazy lol! :)

      Delete
  8. Did you burn n twist your strainer lady!!!! Great!!! You have an antique piece added to your collection! !!!
    Cookies look great!!! I love that close up click fully covered in sugar!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to browse. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. Hope you enjoy your stay :))

hugs!
simi

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