Baaaaa, baaaa!

Got wool?

Know what they have a lot of in New Zealand? Sheep.  Lots and lots of sheep.  For every one person in New Zealand there are 12 sheep.  That's a lot of wool.  Since the first sheep was brought to the island by Captain Cook in 1773, the country has become one of the world's top producers of wool, with 25% of the world's total coming from this small island nation.  New Zealand is also an huge importer of lamb meat.  The sheep are kept in natural pastures eating the wild grasses, not housed in huge barns and fed sheep chow.  New Zealand lamb is considered some of the best.  Which is probably why it was WAY out of my budget! Add that to the fact that I have a problem eating "baby" animals and you can understand why a lamb recipe is not our next project.  My husband and brother like lamb and I'm sure many of you like it too - that's totally fine by me but I made something I think you'll like just as well.  We call it "Lamb for Vegetarians" and it also incorporates another popular New Zealand treat - ANZAC biscuits (cookies).

These cookies are a tradition in New Zealand and Australia, named for the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, they were sent to the soldiers in WWI to help them remember their homeland.  Now they are a treat for everyone to enjoy and remember the soldiers who fought to keep the world safe.  Now they have been turned into sheep ... :)

For the project you will need:

• 1/2 c butter
• Golden syrup - 1 T - We really like this stuff! If you'd like to try but can't find in your area click on link.  A butterscotchy taste :)
• 1 t baking soda
• 2 T boiling water 
• 1 c flour - I used coconut flour because I have a gluten-free friend and plan to share and thought it might add flavor
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 c dessicated coconut - I looked it up and dessicated means flaked and dried- I'd always seen that and wondered :)
• 1 c rolled oats
• 1 t ground ginger

1.  Melt the butter and Golden Syrup together.  Resist the temptation to drink and settle for a finger dip or two :) YUM
2.  Dissolve baking soda in the boiling water and add to the butter/syrup - watch it get all fluffy and frothy - COOL huh?
3.  Mix all the other ingredients in bowl and combine
4.  Add liquid to dry and combine well.
5.  Now the fun part!  You can either "drop by rounded spoonfuls and flatten slightly" like the recipes say OR you can make vaguely sheep-shaped cookies, or whatever shape you want for that matter.
6.  Bake at 325º for about 18 mins. or until golden brown

7.  Let cool and eat or decorate with melted white and dark chocolate so they look like little fuzzy, delicious lambs.  The kind you can sink your teeth into without the pricetag (or the guilt)!