SC - Mexican Chocolate Bread and more

[Decker, Terry D.]

 I just had 2 
> problems.  I had never
> done anything with dates before and did not realize I had to 
> pit them :( and
> for the life of me I could not figure out where to find suet 
> in the grocery
> store.  I know you can get it to feed birds and small animals 
> in the winter,
> but I don't really know what it is.  So I left that out.

If you don't want to pit the dates, buy them pitted or chopped.

If you have a grocery with a butcher's shop, ask the butcher for some suet,
which is the fat from around the kidneys.  If you don't want to use suet,
use a little butter for the fat.
  
> The real disappointment was that the spice merchant who was 
> there last year
> did not show.  I was looking forward to purchasing some 
> things to start my
> attempt at period cooking.  
> 
> Orlaith of Storvik

Got a local health food store?  Check there for herbs and spices.  I do and
mine cost me a third of what the cost at the grocery.  Otherwise, check with
Francisco Sirene, who is on this list, or Penzey's, who are on the web.

Bear