The Food of Love

Yesterday we had a lovely little thank-you card through the door from the gorgeous newly-weds, Maria & Peter. It brought back lovely memories of their very special celebrations. They are well and truely married now after two ceremonies, their civil ceremony in Dublin and then their fantastic celebration in Glandore in Cork.

Musings of the newlyweds, Dublin July '08


Hitting the dancefloor as Mr & Mrs, Cork Aug '08

The civil ceremony was for family only but as we were so excited for them, we really wanted to surprise them with something so we were there in spirit. Once again Carmel & Liam donated their kitchen to us (kitchen-less people) and we got baking. We made a little pack of five shortbread biscuit hearts for each of their guests, one to represent each of the traditional wedding wishes of health, wealth, happiness, long life & fertility. Hopefully they will be blessed with all!

MR & MRS HIGGIN'S LOVE BISCUITS

Makes 18-20 (we made a much bigger quantity as we needed 110!)

225g unsalted butter, softened
125g caster sugar
300g plain flour + extra for dusting
50g cornflour
icing sugar for dusting

- Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
- Sift the flour and cornflour in and mix to give fine crumbs.
- Tip onto a clean surface and bring together to form a dough ball.
- Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 190C (375F / Gas Mark 5).
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 5-7mm in thickness.
- Use a heart cutter (about 5cm wide at it's widest point) to stamp out the biscuits.
- Arrange on two baking sheets and bake for 15-20 minutes until pale golden.
- Remove, leave to cool a little on the trays before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Dust liberally with icing sugar and pack into boxes.

I found the perfect clear acetate boxes on this website. We decorated them to co-ordinate with Maria's outfit (well, we hoped we had, as Maria described it differently to me each time I asked!) The ribbon came from A Rubanesque on South William St., the flower from the Woollenmills and the pearlised paper for the tag (which Carmel had left over from her wedding invites, thanks) from Daintree.