Part 2 (Ruth Inspects Bettina’s Kitchen continued)

How It Tasted

Pinwheel Biscuits

Much to my surprise these actually turned out well—far better the than doughy lumps I made before with this recipe. I really couldn’t describe them as Bettina does (“delicious!”), but rolling the dough ½ thick and keep a sharp eye on the cooking time made a world of difference.

The only real problem with these biscuits were their pale tops. Without a brushing of milk or egg white they looked terribly undercooked and not very appetizing when I pulled them out of the oven.

Gingerale Salad

Filip: Argh!

Milomir: Argh!

Me: Argh!

Yes, we three really did gag in unison—the salad was that bad. Mixing white cherries, pineapple, and lemon gelatin together produces a sour power no vinegar can match, and the zingy salad dressing on top made if ten times worse. Even my son—a Warheads addict if there ever was one—couldn’t eat this mess.

China Chews

I had little doubt these cookies would be well-received, but their pleasant sweetness and chewy texture had little to do with it.

No, it was the dried fruit in them that won DH’s heart. Still recovering from surgery, these cookies served as a wake-up call to his sluggish GI tract—it was like someone fired a starting pistol. He ate three, spent a good chunk of the evening in the bathroom—and woke the next morning a much happier man.

Who needs prune juice or Metamucil when you can simply eat one of these babies? They taste better, are easy to make, and work better than a fistful of laxative.

Would I Make This Again?

Pinwheel biscuits? Probably not—although they came out far better this time they just aren’t as tender as pastries made with yeast.

Gingerale Salad? Never never!—unless I ever need my own Weapon of Mass Destruction. This is a salad to serve to troublesome neighbors, the clerk at the DMV, or anyone else you want to get back at.

China Chews? I’d make these again in a heartbeat—in fact my husband has already requested another batch. They tasted good the day I served them and even better the next—like fruitcake they really seem to improve with age.