Monday 30 June 2008

Daisy, daisy...(or lucky find no.2)

We have seven charity shops in town, and mostly they're not very inspiring, though I do check them out regularly in the hope that I may have a lucky find (like this time). My experiences so far lead me to believe that posh/wealthy town = potential good finds (though as I write this I can hear you saying "rubbish! not true!") Anyway, my town is neither posh nor wealthy and on the whole all I find is tat.


So I was rather pleased to find these four little turquoise pyrex bowls on friday. When I first saw them I thought "mmm, cute, like the daisy shape, and the colour" and persuaded myself that I didn't want them. Two hours later I went back and they were still there, waiting for me to rescue them. And now they're home, I'm really glad I went back for them. They're nothing special, they just feel summery and kind of now, if you know what I mean. They make me smile.


The little shortbread biscuits are very moreish, and go well with a good cup of coffee, though I'm not impressed with the pattern on the top. Looks more like the tread on some knobbly mountain bike tyres.

Shortbread

Ingredients:
140g plain flour
25g rice flour (not ground rice)
50g caster sugar
100g soft butter
1 tblsp sugar, for sprinkling

Method:
Preheat oven to 140C/275F/GM1
In a bowl, mix both the flours, then add the sugar.
With your hands mix in the butter until it comes together – really knead it
On a baking tray or swiss-roll tin, form it with your hands into a round disc, measuring 7 or 8 inches and about 1 to 11/2 inches thick
Pat it on top to smooth it, and prick with a fork all over
Score the edges with a fork if you like

Cook for around 50 - 60 mins, until firm and pale gold
Leave for 10 mins when out of the oven, but slice before cold
Sprinkle with sugar

For small shortbreads:
Form walnut-sized balls and flatten slightly with a fork
Bake for 20 – 30 mins

10 comments:

kristina said...

I absolutely love your little dishes. A super purchase! In America we always do the fork criss-cross on peanut butter biscuits--you simply can't make them any other way :)

Simone said...

I never find anything interesting in charity shops! No vintage books or cotton fabric just old polyester dresses and ugly bits of broken tat!!! You were lucky with your little dishes. The biscuits look perfect to me. I love the design on the top!

Exmoorjane said...

Our charity shops are totally rubbish! So beyond the pale it can barely be believed. Like your dishes though and even more your photos. How on earth do you manage to make something so ordinary look so gorgeous? Sigh, photo envy.....

ginny said...

I love a good charity shop find. these sweet little dishes were obviously meant to come home with you and they are in a shade of blue too!.
Your shortbread is making my mouth water. i love shortbread...even with the bike treads.
happy week to you
ginnyx

this is my patch said...

I like the mountain bike tread on your shortbreads! The book you found looks really interesting, one I would have swiped off the shelf quick. In my local charity shop a year or so back I was lucky enough to get a hardback copy of Monty Don's The Complete Gardener for £1.50. Can you believe it, it's a fantastic book and was in pristine condition before I started thumbing through it! I like your little dishes, how about some ice-cream with your shortbreads next time? x

Anonymous said...

Lovely dishes and delicious looking shortbread!

Pipany said...

Oh I'm starving Diana! How can you be so cruel as to put pics of those gorgeous shortbreads? I will give the reciipe a go this weekend as they are my favourites.

I so agree with you about charity shops. Years ago I used to do really well but now they are just full of rubbish (expensive rubbish at that). Still check them out but nothing like those pretty bowls. Well done and the sun is out - hooray! xx

Meadowlark Days said...

Lovely little dishes! I always have better luck thrifting in South Dakota (better prices, better selection, few people!) than here in the South.

And, my, you've been busy with some very fun events (and lovely photos) lately!

Anonymous said...

Love the colour of those bowls. And I could so just eat a piece or two (who am I kidding, half a dozen at least)of that shortbread.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I have the same pyrex bowls, and the serving bowl they match, also procured from a charity shop.. they are very particularly and specifically used for jelly or trifle!! xx