Back

September

Smoked Turkey and Watercress on Focaccia

Snickerdoodles

Peach Iced Tea

Smoked Turkey and Watercress on Focaccia

1 plain focaccia, about 8” square (available at Italian delicatessens and some supermarkets)

8 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey

1 bunch watercress

½ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Wash, de-stem and dry watercress. Slice focaccia in half horizontally so that you have two layers. Mix together the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread half mustard mixture on the bottom half of focaccia, and the other half on the under side of the top half of focaccia. Layer turkey slices on the bottom layer, distributing evenly. Place the top layer of focaccia on top of the turkey, lining up the sides evenly. With a serrated knife, cut the stack into four 2-inch-wide strips. Cut each strip into four 2-inch squares. Remove the top focaccia piece from each sandwich and add two or three watercress leaves, more if you have them. Replace top. Arrange sandwiches attractively on a tray.

You can add the watercress before you cut the sandwiches into squares, but then you will see cut edges of watercress on the sides. Whole leaves peeking out of the sandwich are much more attractive.

Snickerdoodles

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened

1 ½ cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar (for topping)

2 tablespoons cinnamon (for topping)

Combine butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla. Whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Add to butter mixture and mix just until combined. Chill dough for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350º. Mix together the 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Roll walnut-sized pieces of dough into balls, and roll each ball in the cinnamon mixture. Bake on parchment-lined baking sheets for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies resist when pressed lightly with finger. Cool on racks.

Peach Iced Tea

Peach-flavored iced tea is available in most supermarkets. Prepare strong, hot tea. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate in a pitcher. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice. The peach flavor of the tea and the cinnamon of the Snickerdoodles complement each other deliciously.