Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
30s Celsius,

And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.

john

On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
> 30s Celsius,
>
> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.

And, I'm told, not only are mince pies now on the shelves, but so are
hot cross buns.

--
Best wishes, Serena
Q. Why do bees hum?
A. Because they can't remember the words.

In message <udiegn$49n9$1@dont-email.me> at Sat, 9 Sep 2023 19:45:43,
Serena Blanchflower <nospam@blanchflower.me.uk> writes
>On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>the 30s Celsius,

Yes, sitting here in front of a large fan and with doors and a window
open, even at 21:30. (Waiting for LNOTP to get going.)

>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>
>And, I'm told, not only are mince pies now on the shelves, but so are
>hot cross buns.
>
The mince pies will have a sell-by date well before, too.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Quantum particles: the dreams that stuff is made of - David Moser

On 09/09/2023 19:45, Serena Blanchflower wrote:
> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>> 30s Celsius,
>>
>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>
> And, I'm told, not only are mince pies now on the shelves, but so are
> hot cross buns.
>
Yes, I was rather horrified to see mince pies in Sainsbury's this
afternoon. (The Christmas section of their app that appeared a few days
ago says nothing is available.) I think hot cross buns are available
year round now.

--
Ric

Serena Blanchflower <nospam@blanchflower.me.uk> wrote:
> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>> 30s Celsius,
>>
>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>
> And, I'm told, not only are mince pies now on the shelves, but so are
> hot cross buns.
>

And most likely Chrimbo music on the Muzak in some stores to while away
your time in a queue.

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On 09/09/2023 23:49, Joe Kerr wrote:
> On 09/09/2023 19:45, Serena Blanchflower wrote:
>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>> the 30s Celsius,
>>>
>>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>
>> And, I'm told, not only are mince pies now on the shelves, but so are
>> hot cross buns.
>>
> Yes, I was rather horrified to see mince pies in Sainsbury's this
> afternoon. (The Christmas section of their app that appeared a few days
> ago says nothing is available.) I think hot cross buns are available
> year round now.
>

That was my informant's suspicion, as well :( Heaven knows why they
can't just sell spiced tea cakes for nine months of the year, and only
add the crosses in the run up to Easter though.

--
Best wishes, Serena
Doing any activity with M.E. and not expecting kickback is like going
swimming and being surprised that you got wet. (Twitter: @chestnutkay)

John Ashby wrote:

>Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>30s Celsius,
>
>And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.

I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
month.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham
'48/33 M B+ G++ A L(-) I S-- CH0(--)(p) Ar- T+ H0 ?Q
chris@cdixon.me.uk @ChrisJDixon1
Plant amazing Acers.

On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:
> John Ashby wrote:
>
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>> 30s Celsius,
>>
>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>
> I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
> much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
> ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
> continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
> month.
>
> Chris

As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!

Anyone want a decent microphone for not an awful lot of money?

--
Kosmo Richard W
www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics

On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 9:00:53 AM UTC, krw wrote:
> On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:
> > John Ashby wrote:
> >
> >> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
> >> 30s Celsius,
> >>
> >> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
> >
> > I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
> > much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
> > ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
> > continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
> > month.
> >
> > Chris
> As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
> microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!
>
> Anyone want a decent microphone for not an awful lot of money?

Conga Rats, KRW! Any chance of a linky to the letter?

Nick
nickodell49@yahoo.ca

krw wrote:

>On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:

>> I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
>> much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
>> ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
>> continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
>> month.
>
>As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
>microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!

An excellent KF. Until I read your letter, I had not noticed the
change.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham
'48/33 M B+ G++ A L(-) I S-- CH0(--)(p) Ar- T+ H0 ?Q
chris@cdixon.me.uk @ChrisJDixon1
Plant amazing Acers.

On Saturday, 9 September 2023 at 19:04:03 UTC+1, John Ashby wrote:
> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
> 30s Celsius,
>
> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.

The local garden centre has (three sizes of) chocolate Father Christmases

On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
> 30s Celsius,
>
> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.

On Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:49:49 +0100, Steve Hague
<stevehague82@gmail.com> wrote:

>On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>> 30s Celsius,
>>
>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.

https://www.google.com/search?q=lebkuchen&rlz=1C1AWFC_enGB895GB970&oq=lebkuchen&aqs=chrome.0.0i131i355i433i512j46i131i433i512j0i512l8.4990j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>the 30s Celsius,
>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.

It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in Germany)
German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are (it's a plural) a
sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in bags; often in shapes,
like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed with coloured icing. Nice.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Veni Vidi Visa [I came, I saw, I did a little shopping] - Mik from S+AS Limited
(mik@saslimited.demon.co.uk), 1998

On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>> the  30s Celsius,
>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>
> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in Germany)
> German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are (it's a plural) a
> sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in bags; often in shapes,
> like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed with coloured icing. Nice.
>
> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786

Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a chocolate
digestive though.

On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>>> the  30s Celsius,
>>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>>
>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in Germany)
>> German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are (it's a plural)
>> a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in bags; often in
>> shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed with coloured
>> icing. Nice.
>>
>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
>
> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a chocolate
> digestive though.
>

You don't have to have been brought up in Germany to appreciate
Lebkuchen! It's true they are very frequent at Christmas there, but you
can find them under various names and varieties in Austria, Czechei, the
Netherlands, Poland, indeed most places in Central and Eastern Europe,
and not just at Christmas - huge ones iced with fond messages with a
ribbon through them are very popular at funfairs and other festivals.

Lidl's chocolate-covered ones with apricot jam in them are very
more-ish. Must resist..... must.. res...

--
Kate B

On 11.9.23 13:53, Nick Odell wrote:
> On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 9:00:53 AM UTC, krw wrote:
>> On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:
>>> John Ashby wrote:
>>>
>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>>>> 30s Celsius,
>>>>
>>>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>
>>> I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
>>> much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
>>> ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
>>> continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
>>> month.
>>>
>>> Chris
>> As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
>> microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!
>>
>> Anyone want a decent microphone for not an awful lot of money?
>
> Conga Rats, KRW! Any chance of a linky to the letter?
>
> Nick
> nickodell49@yahoo.ca

When I say letter I mean email which was as follows:

Dear Sir

I am much confused. Every year I normally find that October pops along
after September, rather as day follows night follows day.

However I see that PC Pro has invented a new month of "Summer" to follow
September and yet by the end of September where I live it is usually Autumn.

This year as far as I can tell Summer was in June when it was
exceptionally hot, whilst now in August with the constant rain it is
very like September, except that was last month.

Please explain.

Kind regards

--
Kosmo Richard W
www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics

On 12/09/2023 13:37, krw wrote:
> On 11.9.23 13:53, Nick Odell wrote:
>> On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 9:00:53 AM UTC, krw wrote:
>>> On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:
>>>> John Ashby wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
>>>>> 30s Celsius,
>>>>>
>>>>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>>
>>>> I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
>>>> much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
>>>> ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
>>>> continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
>>>> month.
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>> As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
>>> microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!
>>>
>>> Anyone want a decent microphone for not an awful lot of money?
>>
>> Conga Rats, KRW! Any chance of a linky to the letter?
>>
>> Nick
>> nickodell49@yahoo.ca
>
> When I say letter I mean email which was as follows:
>
> Dear Sir
>
> I am much confused.  Every year I normally find that October pops along
> after September, rather as day follows night follows day.
>
> However I see that PC Pro has invented a new month of "Summer" to follow
> September and yet by the end of September where I live it is usually
> Autumn.
>
> This year as far as I can tell Summer was in June when it was
> exceptionally hot, whilst now in August with the constant rain it is
> very like September, except that was last month.

Excellent, and definitely worthy of a microphone!

--
Best wishes, Serena
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind. (Dr Seuss)

On 12/09/2023 13:00, Kate B wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
>> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>>> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
>>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>>>> the  30s Celsius,
>>>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>>>
>>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in Germany)
>>> German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are (it's a
>>> plural) a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in bags;
>>> often in shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed with
>>> coloured icing. Nice.
>>>
>>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
>>
>> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a chocolate
>> digestive though.
>>
>
> You don't have to have been brought up in Germany to appreciate
> Lebkuchen! It's true they are very frequent at Christmas there, but you
> can find them under various names and varieties in Austria, Czechei, the
> Netherlands, Poland, indeed most places in Central and Eastern Europe,
> and not just at Christmas - huge ones iced with fond messages with a
> ribbon through them are very popular at funfairs and other festivals.
>
> Lidl's chocolate-covered ones with apricot jam in them are very
> more-ish. Must resist..... must.. res...
>

Not as good as the ones I baked last Christmas [1] which played a small
part in convincing new new partner (originally German) I was worth a
punt. And since she doesn't like raisins I'll be baking some more for
our Christmas concert this year instead of the mince pies we're supposed
to be providing.

john

[1] I know self-praise is no recommendation but who else is going to do
it? [2]
[2] She is, today I won praise for my Mohnkuchen (made with homegrown
poppy seeds).

On 12/09/2023 17:46, John Ashby wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 13:00, Kate B wrote:
>> On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
>>> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>>>> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
>>>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>>>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>>>>> the  30s Celsius,
>>>>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>>>>
>>>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in
>>>> Germany) German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are
>>>> (it's a plural) a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in
>>>> bags; often in shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed
>>>> with coloured icing. Nice.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
>>>
>>> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a
>>> chocolate digestive though.
>>>
>>
>> You don't have to have been brought up in Germany to appreciate
>> Lebkuchen! It's true they are very frequent at Christmas there, but
>> you can find them under various names and varieties in Austria,
>> Czechei, the Netherlands, Poland, indeed most places in Central and
>> Eastern Europe, and not just at Christmas - huge ones iced with fond
>> messages with a ribbon through them are very popular at funfairs and
>> other festivals.
>>
>> Lidl's chocolate-covered ones with apricot jam in them are very
>> more-ish. Must resist..... must.. res...
>>
>
> Not as good as the ones I baked last Christmas [1]

I dare say you're right. Recipe?

which played a small
> part in convincing new new partner (originally German) I was worth a
> punt.

Bravo!

And since she doesn't like raisins I'll be baking some more for
> our Christmas concert this year instead of the mince pies we're supposed
> to be providing.
>
> john
>
> [1] I know self-praise is no recommendation but who else is going to do
> it? [2]
> [2] She is, today I won praise for my Mohnkuchen (made with homegrown
> poppy seeds).

ooh. I have a large jar full of poppyseeds from the garden. Did you do
anything to them to ensure no small beasts or bits of husk remained
before you baked them?

--
Kate B

On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 12:37:45 PM UTC, krw wrote:
> On 11.9.23 13:53, Nick Odell wrote:
> > On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 9:00:53 AM UTC, krw wrote:
> >> On 11.9.23 09:51, Chris J Dixon wrote:
> >>> John Ashby wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in the
> >>>> 30s Celsius,
> >>>>
> >>>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
> >>>
> >>> I often remark upon getting the December issue of PC Pro very
> >>> much earlier. They have eventually realised that it had become
> >>> ridiculous, and inserted an issue labelled "Summer", then
> >>> continued with the next month, so reduced the earliness by one
> >>> month.
> >>>
> >>> Chris
> >> As a result of the fictional "Summer" month I have been awarded a
> >> microphone by PC Pro if you read the latest letters section!
> >>
> >> Anyone want a decent microphone for not an awful lot of money?
> >
> > Conga Rats, KRW! Any chance of a linky to the letter?
> >
> > Nick
> > nicko...@yahoo.ca
> When I say letter I mean email which was as follows:
>
> Dear Sir
>
> I am much confused. Every year I normally find that October pops along
> after September, rather as day follows night follows day.
>
> However I see that PC Pro has invented a new month of "Summer" to follow
> September and yet by the end of September where I live it is usually Autumn.
>
> This year as far as I can tell Summer was in June when it was
> exceptionally hot, whilst now in August with the constant rain it is
> very like September, except that was last month.
>
> Please explain.
>
> Kind regards
>
Heheheh. Nice one, KRW!

Nick
nickodell49@yahoo.ca

On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 4:54:08 PM UTC, Kate B wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 17:46, John Ashby wrote:
> > On 12/09/2023 13:00, Kate B wrote:
> >> On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
> >>> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
> >>>> In message <kman1e...@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
> >>>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <steveh...@gmail.com> writes
> >>>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
> >>>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
> >>>>>> the 30s Celsius,
> >>>>>> And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
> >>>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
> >>>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
> >>>>
> >>>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in
> >>>> Germany) German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are
> >>>> (it's a plural) a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in
> >>>> bags; often in shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed
> >>>> with coloured icing. Nice.
> >>>>
> >>>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
> >>>
> >>> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a
> >>> chocolate digestive though.
> >>>
> >>
> >> You don't have to have been brought up in Germany to appreciate
> >> Lebkuchen! It's true they are very frequent at Christmas there, but
> >> you can find them under various names and varieties in Austria,
> >> Czechei, the Netherlands, Poland, indeed most places in Central and
> >> Eastern Europe, and not just at Christmas - huge ones iced with fond
> >> messages with a ribbon through them are very popular at funfairs and
> >> other festivals.
> >>
> >> Lidl's chocolate-covered ones with apricot jam in them are very
> >> more-ish. Must resist..... must.. res...
> >>
> >
> > Not as good as the ones I baked last Christmas [1]
> I dare say you're right. Recipe?
> which played a small
> > part in convincing new new partner (originally German) I was worth a
> > punt.
> Bravo!
> And since she doesn't like raisins I'll be baking some more for
> > our Christmas concert this year instead of the mince pies we're supposed
> > to be providing.
> >
> > john
> >
> > [1] I know self-praise is no recommendation but who else is going to do
> > it? [2]
> > [2] She is, today I won praise for my Mohnkuchen (made with homegrown
> > poppy seeds).
> ooh. I have a large jar full of poppyseeds from the garden. Did you do
> anything to them to ensure no small beasts or bits of husk remained
> before you baked them?

And a bravo to John from here too. Both on the recipe [1] and the
new partner.

As for the poppyseeds, husks and beasties: does it matter if it's all
going to be cooked anyway?

Nick
nickodell49@yahoo.ca
[1]To anybody baking these Christmas cookies in Autumn
or at any other time of the year, if you can, try substituting
Ammonium Bicarbonate for the more usual Sodium
Bicarbonate raising agent. Ammonium Bicarbonate is a
much more common raising agent sewer ler kong te nong
where many of these recipes (like the BBC one John linked
to above) originated. There's a small but subtle difference
in the finished product and -well- the Ammonium recipe just
seems to end up nicer IMO. I don't know why - perhaps a
chemist could tell us?

On 12/09/2023 17:54, Kate B wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 17:46, John Ashby wrote:
>> On 12/09/2023 13:00, Kate B wrote:
>>> On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
>>>> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>>>>> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
>>>>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>>>>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>>>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures
>>>>>>> in the  30s Celsius,
>>>>>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>>>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in
>>>>> Germany) German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are
>>>>> (it's a plural) a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in
>>>>> bags; often in shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed
>>>>> with coloured icing. Nice.
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
>>>>
>>>> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a
>>>> chocolate digestive though.
>>>>
>>>
>>> You don't have to have been brought up in Germany to appreciate
>>> Lebkuchen! It's true they are very frequent at Christmas there, but
>>> you can find them under various names and varieties in Austria,
>>> Czechei, the Netherlands, Poland, indeed most places in Central and
>>> Eastern Europe, and not just at Christmas - huge ones iced with fond
>>> messages with a ribbon through them are very popular at funfairs and
>>> other festivals.
>>>
>>> Lidl's chocolate-covered ones with apricot jam in them are very
>>> more-ish. Must resist..... must.. res...
>>>
>>
>> Not as good as the ones I baked last Christmas [1]
>
> I dare say you're right. Recipe?
>

Basically the BBC one JPG mentioned but (IIRC) I made two batches, one
which definitely used the optional cocoa powder and one which
substituted lemon xest for the orange zest. Glaxed with dark chocolate
and a lemon icing respectively. I probably used about 50% more of the
spices because I usually find UK recipes underspiced.

> which played a small
>> part in convincing new new partner (originally German) I was worth a
>> punt.
>
> Bravo!
>
> And since she doesn't like raisins I'll be baking some more for
>> our Christmas concert this year instead of the mince pies we're
>> supposed to be providing.
>>
>> john
>>
>> [1] I know self-praise is no recommendation but who else is going to
>> do it? [2]
>> [2] She is, today I won praise for my Mohnkuchen (made with homegrown
>> poppy seeds).
>
> ooh. I have a large jar full of poppyseeds from the garden. Did you do
> anything to them to ensure no small beasts or bits of husk remained
> before you baked them?
>
>

Sieving and winnowing gets rid of most of the undesitable bits.

For this cake I used https://mygerman.recipes/poppy-seed-crumble-cake/
but since I didn't have marzipan or grits (WTF are grits?) to hand and
other recipes called for Cream of Wheat (?) or semolina (Ah, at last an
ingredient I recognise) I used a mix of ground almonds and matzo meal (a
bag of which has been lying around for some time) to thicken the filling
and added an egg for good measure, The recipe tells you to put the poppy
seeds through a coffee grinder - I tried one batch and it did nothing so
I didn't bother and the texture was commented on approvingly.

Recipe, schmecipe.

john

On 12/09/2023 20:22, Nick Odell wrote:

>
> And a bravo to John from here too. Both on the recipe [1] and the
> new partner.
>

Said new partner is newly employed by the British Museum in her capacity
as an expert on carved gems leading what George Osborne wanted to call
The Recovery Task Force. She said she'd only agree to that name if they
were alloed to wear capes and have their superpower be an in-depth
knowledge of 18th and 19th century jewellery.

john

On 12/09/2023 10:53, Steve Hague wrote:
> On 12/09/2023 10:06, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>> In message <kman1eFdsfmU2@mid.individual.net> at Tue, 12 Sep 2023
>> 09:49:49, Steve Hague <stevehague82@gmail.com> writes
>>> On 09/09/2023 19:04, John Ashby wrote:
>>>> Eary September, children only just back at school, temperatures in
>>>> the  30s Celsius,
>>>>  And Lebkuchen on the shelves in Lidl.
>>>> Oh my gosh and golly, I'm going to have to admit I haven't a clue
>>>> what Lebkuchen is. Sounds a bit German to me.
>>
>> It is indeed: Lidl do a lot of nice (for those brought up in Germany)
>> German stuff in the run-up to Christmas. Lebkuchen are (it's a plural)
>> a sort of soft(ish) spicy biscuit, usually sold in bags; often in
>> shapes, like stars, moons, or hearts, often glazed with coloured
>> icing. Nice.
>>
>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lebkuchen_88786
>
> Thanks Vicky and John, I'm enlightened. I think I'd prefer a chocolate
> digestive though.
>
Milk or Plain?

These are deep waters Watson.