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.
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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.
