Sorghum

I'm on a constant quest to prepare more nutritious snacks and meals for my family.

On a recent trip to our local health food store I found something new. . . to me that is.

Sorghum syrup.

Sorghum is made from 100 percent pure, natural juice extracted from sorghum cane. It contains

NO chemical additives of any kind.

Sorghum contains iron, calcium and potassium. Before the invention of the daily vitamins, many doctors prescribed sorghum as a daily supplement for those low in these nutrients.

Sorghum tastes similar to molasses except molasses is a by-product of the sugar industry, whereas sorghum is the syrup produced when the extracted juice from the sorghum cane is boiled down.

I've made two recipes with the sorghum: Ginger Cookies and Old-Fashioned Sorghum Cookies

They were both delicious!

(Pictured are the Ginger Cookies)

Ginger Cookies

3/4 C butter

1 C sugar

1 egg

1/3 C Sorghum

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2-1/2 tsp ginger

1-1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 C flour

Mix butter, sugar and egg until creamy. Stir in sorghum. Sift dry ingredients together and add to first mixture. Mix well. Cover and chill for 1 our. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll dough balls in sugar and place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes at 375 degrees, or until lightly browned. Remove from baking sheet and cool on rack.

Old-Fashioned Sorghum Cookies

(This recipe has no eggs and no added sugar and they were just as yummy as the Ginger cookies)

4 C flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1-1/2 C Sorghum

1/2 C shortening, melted

1/4 C butter, melted

5 T boiling water

Divide flour in two parts; to one part add soda, salt, and spices. Combine sorghum, melted shortening and butter and boiling water. Blend in the flour mixture thoroughly. Stir in remaining portion of flour. Chill overnight. Turn out on clean dry surface that has been generously dusted with a mixture of equal parts flour and sugar. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into desired shapes. (I simply rolled them into balls and they turned out fine)

Transfer to greased baking sheets, and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.

So next time you have a hankerin' for somethin' sweet, try this more nutritious option.

Happy Wednesday,

Heather