Molasses (with recipe)

            When sugarcane juice is boiled down and the raw sugar extracted, a thick dark syrup remains. This is blackstrap molasses. Further refining yields a slightly paler, less strong-tasting molasses. Both are highly nutritional, particularly compared to their devitalized relative, refined sugar. Blackstrap molasses takes the lead, however, in high iron, potassium, calcium, and vitamin B content. An extremely valuable substance in the treatment of iron deficiency, low energy, constipation, and nervous strain, its taste, however, is rather overpowering; but when mixed half and half with honey and used to flavor yeast drinks, cereals, bread, milkshakes, or yogurt, it is quite palatable. Do not take it straight from a spoon; it tends to stick to the teeth and may cause decay.

***

GINGERBREAD MEN

¹/₃ cup butter

1 cup molasses

½ cup yogurt

¼ cup sugar

3 ¼ cups unbleached white flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon salt

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a cookie sheet.

2.      Cream butter and molasses together. Add yogurt and sugar. Sift in flour, soda, spices, and salt. Mix well; the dough will be fairly stiff. Roll our dough on a floured board and cut into gingerbread-men shapes, or form shapes with your hands without rolling out.

3.      Place on cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned.

4.      Makes about two dozen.