11 Comments
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Daria's avatar

Not a cookie, but I happened to open your email while watching a video about "spotted dick" on the Tasting History with Max Miller youtube channel. Also, I have made your cheesy herby bread, and it was a huge hit on the office snack counter.

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Dorie Greenspan's avatar

What a funny coincidence :) And I'm so glad you've made the savory bread - I love that recipe - xoD

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susan goldberg's avatar

What a fascinating cookie with an interesting history. I must try these soon. Thank you! And, as always, your directions are so clear and helpful!❤️

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Dorie Greenspan's avatar

Thanks, Susan - they're fun - try them! xoD

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Mel's avatar

couque d'asses ... looks like a shortbread cookie with a chocolate filling kinda like fig newtons. Best described under the photo which asked for titters as perfect for bottom feeders??? (not my quote).

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Dorie Greenspan's avatar

Ohhh. Well, you learn something new every day. Merci - xoD

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Sophia Real | Real Simple Food's avatar

I am intrigued by these cookies - they remind me of Italian ciambellini di vino which also call for equal amounts of wine and oil (and as much flour as needed / “quanto basta”), but in Italy they are usually made with anise seed as well and, as the name suggests, ring-shaped. In fact they look a bit like taralli and are similarly crunchy in texture.

As for rude names, have you heard of the minne di sant agata? They are little iced cakes with cherries on top which look quite suggestive of a certain female body part.

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Sophia Real | Real Simple Food's avatar

I am intrigued by these cookies - they remind me of Italian ciambellini di vino which also call for equal amounts of wine and oil (and as much flour as needed / “quanto basta”), but in Italy they are usually made with anise seed as well and, as the name suggests, ring-shaped. In fact they look a bit like taralli and are similarly crunchy in texture.

As for rude names, have you heard of the minne di sant agata? They are little iced cakes with cherries on top which look quite suggestive of a certain female body part.

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Terri Smith's avatar

Weird or untraditional as they may be, savory Madeleines are quite nice with apéros. David Lebovitz has a good recipe in Drinking French. Also, that Rose Bakery in the Pigalle location has some savory loaves and recipes in their book.

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Marsha Ingles's avatar

Bonjour Dorie! I have an old cookbook in French that I bought years ago in college when the foreign language library had a book sale. That's the first time I heard of pets-de-nonne! I pulled it off my shelf and it took me a while to find the recipe. They list it under "Entremets Chaud" as "Beignets soufflés (dits pets-de-nonne)". I've never made them myself. I love those Michel et Augustin savoury cookies as well. I can vouch that Carrefour makes a tasty one as well, but they have fewer varieties. Thanks for reminding me about the rosemary Parm cookies and the Cake salé recipes. I had left them marked as unread, as a reminder to try them.

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Judy McCleese's avatar

Hi Dorie, this isn’t really a comment, but a request. My house and all my cookbooks (over 100… I’m in my 70’s and have been a lifelong baker) and owned all of your books which burned up (our house was a total loss) in the Eaton Canyon fire. I can’t afford to replace my cookbooks and wondered if there are any old Dorie’s Cookies books lying around at the publishers that I could have? I miss it dearly. Sorry… I don’t know where else to write to write to you

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