Wednesday

Steven Amsterdam's Cinnamon Cookies

Author of the internationally lauded book Things We Didn't See Coming, Steven Amsterdam, revealed more of his talents at Eltham Library last week. Steven is a former pastry chef, and we were able to sample his cinnamon cookies recipe, thanks to the baking skills of ELTHAMbookshop's Meera Govil. Here's the recipe ... ideal sustenance for an afternoon of reading!

Things We Didn’t See Coming
Steven Amsterdam’s Cinnamon Cookies


Take 120 grams walnuts and grind with 60 grams of caster sugar.
(Note: The walnuts benefit immeasurably from being lightly toasted first; they give off a caramel-ish unctuousness that, I swear, makes a difference).


In a mixer, cream 450 grams of room temperature unsalted butter with 120 grams of sugar and a few teaspoons of vanilla extract (or a scraped bean).

With the mixer on low, pour in 500 grams plain flour and a teaspoon of salt., and two tablespoons of cinnamon. Mix until just combined, then add the nuts.

This batter doesn’t spread much, so just roll them into the size of small plums or large cherry tomatoes and put them reasonably close to each other on the baking tray.

Baking time depends on the size and the oven, so it’s not exact. Mine take between 20 and 30 minutes at 150 degrees. They should just  be getting browned around the edges.

While they’re warm, pick them up gently, roll them in icing sugar and put them on another piece of baking paper. When they’re cool, do it again.

This recipe makes about 100 bite-sized cookies. The dough freezes well, so you can bake half a batch and save the rest for another time

Monday

Maura the Clairvoyant Librarian

Ever wondered what your reading future has in store for you? Come discover the book that is your destiny...

Maura the Clairvoyant Librarian
will be visiting Diamond Valley Library

Tuesday 23 February
1.30pm - 3.00pm

Come along and meet Maura and other booklovers, talk about the Summer Read book selection and celebrate our new book club with some FUN. Refreshments provided.

The Summer Read

Discover the magic of books this summer!
Chose from a list of 10 great Victorian books (either set in Victoria or by Victorian authors), including fiction, memoirs and true crime.

From 1 January to 26 March

Visit your local library to browse and borrow the titles that will 'float your boat' this summer.
Cant decide? Let Maura the Clairvoyant Librarian use her powers to predict which books you'll love to read! (Click here to find out how to meet her)

Share a review of your favourites or your own recommended reads list to be in the running to win a prize!

The books on the list this year are:
  1. Cooee by Vivienne Kelly
  2. Infiltration by Colin Mclaren
  3. Look Who's Morphing by Tom Cho
  4. Lovesong by Alex Miller
  5. Sold by Brendan Gullifer
  6. The Contract by Brett Hoffman
  7. The Lost Mother by Anne Summers
  8. Things We Didn't See Coming by Steve Amsterdam
  9. This is How by MJ Hyland
  10. Unparalleled Sorrow by Barry Dickins
Stay posted for another fabulous event for the Summer Read coming soon!

Visit the State Library website
to find out more about the recommended summer reads and their authors and enter the draw to win great prizes.

The Summer Read is presented by Victorian Public Libraries and the State Library of Victoria.

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