Crispy Cheese Biscuits

"Love thy neighbour..."

Hello followers! Well, this week I've been at home in Hamilton painting for my Dad. I was asked to work the PGA Canadian Golf Tour in Oakville next week, but Kev and I are going camping. So, as a freelancer, I gotta make money some how! I actually don't mind painting... Really!
I grew up in the same house my parents still live in now, in West Hamilton. For the entire time we have been there, we have had the same next door neighbour, Nina. She is in her 90's and is still baking up a storm! It is her hobby and she is extremely good at it (her cheese and onion buns are to die for!!)! Every few days, we get the phone call to come over and pick up her freshly baked goods. Yum! She bakes savoury and sweet items, and just this past Monday, she baked whole wheat bread. When I went over to get our loaf, it was still warm! I love the smell of freshly baked bread... Is there anything better? The loaf was so lovely, that I put down my paintbrush for a little while (sorry Dad!), picked up my camera and started shooting. Once the bread had cooled, my Mum and I ate a slice each, enjoyed with butter of course!! I phoned Nina to tell her how good it was and she invited me out for lunch the next day! Nina is carefree and is always up for fun! For instance, she frequents the many casinos in the area (remember when Nina gave me 20 bucks and told me to play in Niagara? I won almost $400 and we split the winnings! Nina said her horoscope told her I was going to win!). She is always off for dinner at one of her many friend's or family's houses, hosts a bridge night and has a sleepover once a week with one of her best friends! I love Nina and like to think of her as my 'Japanese Grandma!' So, yesterday we went out for lunch to a new Japanese restaurant in Hamilton. It was a buffet and we way ate too much! It was delicious! On the way home, Nina told me how her and her husband Sam moved here from B.C. in the forties and decided to settle in West Hamilton. Nina and Sam ended up buying a lot from a lady named Doll Flaherty. Mrs. Flaherty owned our house at the time and sold them a part of her property. They built their house in 1947 for $12,000. Wow! My parents moved in in the 70's and right away, made friends with their new neighbours, Nina and Sam. Unfortunately, Sam passed in the 80's, so what started off as a neighbourly friendship became stronger and Nina has become a part of the family. Now, there is one treat that Nina makes that is my Mum's absolute favourite! They are quick and easy to make and I am so happy that Nina gave me her recipe, for me to share with you today!!

Simple and Tasty Recipe:

Nina's Crispy Cheese Biscuits
(makes 36 pcs)

1 tub Imperial Cheese, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use safflower)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup AP flour
1/2 to 1 tsp mustard powder
pinch of sea salt
2 cup rice crispy cereal

.preheat oven to 350 degrees
.in a bowl mix the cheese, oil and Worcestershire sauce together with a fork
.stir in the flour, mustard powder and salt until well combined
.gently stir in the cereal
.measure 1 Tbsp, roll into balls (Nina says the size of a walnut),
.evenly space (they won't spread out), on a tray lined with parchment paper, or lightly greased
.press balls down with the tines of a fork (if sticking, wet the tines with water)
.bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes, cool on rack, store in an airtight container for up to a week, enjoy!

My Mum can eat these by the dozen! Now, if you don't know what 'Imperial Cheese' is, it's found near the cream cheese in the grocery store (it's the Cheddar cheese spread in the red container). It's one of my favourites!! I'm thinking this recipe is a great base and can be played with! Change the mustard powder to grainy Dijon, add a good amount of cracked black pepper or cayenne for a kick, add fresh chopped chives or thyme, etc... Please try them, they are super tasty!