Council worker by day, baker by night (and at weekends), these two worlds usually overlap only when I take a bake into the office. Last week, however, I found myself in the delicate position of baking not just with eggs, sugar, flour and butter, but also with diplomacy. Organising a visit of senior managers from other councils my reputation preceded their arrival and I was compelled to provide baked refreshments. Ignoring wholly unfounded allegations that I was attempting to offer 'a sweetener' or 'butter them up', I considered what to bake for this 'peer review' team. Thinking that 'peer' is only one letter away from 'pear' (and discovering that one team member is particularly fond of cardamom), I created a spiced and tenuously named 'peary chew' biscuit, which was well received. The team went on to deliver a very honest appraisal of the council. Proving that honesty is still the best policy... but biscuits come a close second.
You'll find these spiced pear and honey biscuits in the recipes section.