016: A Christmas Episode - Drummer Boys & Short Breads

<p>re-release with slightly improved audio levels</p> <p> </p> <p>What kind of drum did that boy play?  Also: what was that mother thinking, letting a drummer play anywhere near a newborn? You're about to find the answers to these questions, plus you'll learn to make shortbread from the very best - Jeff McClellan!  (and he doesn't only bake bread - he also sings Bread!)</p> <p>Tune in to this episode to hear Heidi say, "I, like you, thought that [the Von Trapps & Narwals] were fake..."</p> <p>---</p> <p>Follow along from your own kitchen:</p> <p class="p1">Scottish Shortbread Recipe</p> <p class="p1">Traditional, adapted by Jeff McClellan from various sources</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">Ingredients</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li3">1 cup packed brown sugar (I reduce to 2/3 cup; still plenty sweet)</li> <li class="li3">1 lb. butter, softened</li> <li class="li3">4-4.5 cups flour (half white flour; half oat flour)</li> </ul> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">Directions</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">1. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li3">Most recipes use white sugar; I use brown sugar; I also reduce the amount of sugar to 2/3 cup just to limit my sugar.</li> </ul> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">2. Add any desired flavors or mix-ins.</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li3">Tradition would keep it to the three ingredients, but you can spice it up if you wish.</li> <li class="li3">Flavorings (add before the flour): maple, almond, cinnamon, vanilla (about a teaspoon, depending on how strong you want the flavor)</li> <li class="li3">Mix-ins (add after the flour): dried fruits, nuts (perhaps chocolate chips?)</li> </ul> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">3. Add 3-3.5 cups of flour a little at a time and mix well.</p> <ul class="ul1"><li class="li3">In early days, shortbread would have been made with oat flour; later wheat flour replaced oat flour.</li> <li class="li3">I like to use a combination of h