“Oh sir, it’s only wafer thin!”
I am a ridiculously obsessed Monty Python fan, as are most of the lasses in my closest group of friends. In fact, we are so obsessed that for a few years there, we would have conversations which consisted of nothing but Monty Python quotes, such as
“Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!”
- John Cleese, ‘Monty Python and The Holy Grail’
It got to the point where we would all get together for a sleepover, borrow half the Monty Python videos in stock at Blockbuster then spend the night laughing and speaking along with the dialogue on the tapes. Obsessed much? Possibly 
Even though the comedy was from our parents generation, we appreciated it a lot more than the garbage we got courtesy of Jim Carrey and Rob Schneider. I’m not going to say that comedy is dead - we have ‘The Office’, ‘Black Books’ and ‘Red Dwarf’ from the UK (and yes, English humour is definetely my preferred flavour), and here in Australia we have ‘Thank God You’re Here!‘ and ‘Kath and Kim‘. However, despite these amazing shows which quite often have me in stitches, there is nothing that has me clutching my stomach and gasping for air like the old Monty Python reels. Now, there is talent! I am yet to see any other series or comedy troupe write such fast paced funny banter, seemlessly going from one sketch to another and treating their audience as somewhat intelligent. I won’t deny that they indulged in toilet humour, but they did it with originality and flair.
Even though the days of obsessed Monty Python watching are behind us now, it is still one of our great loves and is one of the things that we have in common. In fact, whilst we were shopping to have our picnic, we had the chance to taste and buy some Jarlsberg cheese and we exploded with excitement as we recalled the famous ‘Cheese Shop‘ sketch.
Where is this going, you ask?
Patience, gentle reader, I’m not leading you down the garden path but rather, just taking the scenic route to my destination.
Before this afternoon’s strawberry tart fiasco, I had spent a few hours making something that I have admittedly neglected for a few years - almond wafers. I first came across these a few years ago whilst browsing the bakery corner of the Queen Vic Markets, pale thin biscuits studded with paper thin slivers of almonds. I couldn’t resist and bought a small bag, then proceeded to a cafe where I sat down, ordered a coffee and bit into the first of what was to become many almond wafers.
Sweet, crisp, crunchy, bliss.
Since they are so small and thin, it’s hard to stop at just one!
I believe that these are perhaps just another kind of cantuccini (Tuscan almond biscuits), but unlike those big hefty logs, these are much daintier and look darling sitting in a glass jar - which can be done, as they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month!
How does this tie in with Monty Python?
Whilst I was slicing these wafers from the logs, I recalled the restaurant sketch (the first image in this post) from ‘The Meaning of Life’ and grinning to myself as I replayed the sketch in my head. My brother, whom I introduced to Monty Python a few years back, saw my grin and what I was doing, arched his eyebrow and said in a terrible faux French accent - ‘wafer thin!’, which made me collapse into a heap of giggles. It’s amazing how memories become intertwined in your head, and how new moments can become part of that complex network of rememberances that hold us together.
So go on, give these a try and share them with someone you care about. Hopefully they’ll help you create another happy memory as they did with me 
Almond Wafer Biscuits
Ingredients
275g caster sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp lemon zest
450g plain (all-purpose flour)
150g whole almonds (blanched or not, the choice is yours)
1. Preheat your oven to 170 degrees C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Beat together the sugar, eggs and lemon rind till thick, creamy and pale, then add the flour and almonds and mix till well combined.
3. Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead till smooth. Divide the mixture into 3 portions and shape each into a log about 20cm long and 4.5cm wide.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 mins or till lightly coloured, firm to the touch and cooked through. Remove from the oven and completely cool down. Reduce oven temperature to 140 degrees C.
5. Using a serrated knife, slice the logs diagonally into 3mm thick slices. Place the slices in a single layer on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 mins, or till they are golden and crisp.
6. Remove from the oven and immediately transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
7. Enjoy with a warm beverage that you can dunk these into
Technorati Tags: comedy, monty python, almond wafers, almonds, biscuits
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Comments
Brilynn This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It has expired and gone to meet its maker!
No, no, he’s just stunned.
Oh yeah, and the waffers look pretty good too.
jasmine Great story–love Monty Python…can’t pass by the canned meats without “Spam spam spam spam…” going through my head.
The wafers look so good…I love their colour.
j
Lisa “It’s just a flesh wound” hahahahahaaaaa! I LOVE Monty Python! And these crisps look fabulous! Thanks for sharing a great recipe and an even better post 
Ellie Ivonne - I’ve made the logs, just let me know when you’re on your way over so I can bake them and have them waiting for you nice and hot
Kat - it’s definetely worth a try If you can, try this with skin-on almonds, I think it makes them look a little prettier rather than being all white
Brilynn - Definetely one of my fave sketches! I’d never heard so many euphamisms for ‘dead’ before, and each one made me laugh…probably helps that John Cleese’s delivery is spot on Glad you liked the wafers!
Jasmine - LOL! I’m the same with the spam thing, glad to know that I’m not the only one who does it
Lis - Holy Grail is my all time favourite movie, and the Black Knight rocks my socks! Glad I provided a few giggles for ya hon
Natalia Oooh, next you should make hot buttered scones! And then when you can’t eat anymore you can say, “No more hot buttered scones for me. I’m off to play the grand piano!” I love Monty Python!
Only Me Just read your blog for the first time. Consider yourself linked! Wonderful stuff! I’ll resist the urge to do any quotes. I’ve been doing it all weekend so it’s time for a break (My aussie girlfriend is learning french and her accent is poor so you can imagine which one I’ve been using….!)
Ellie Natalia - Oooh, good idea And Monty Python totally rock the casbah!
Barbara - I’ve been told that Little Britain is good but I’m yet to actually see any of it. I’ll get round to it one of these days
Only Me - Aww shucks, thanks there! Glad you like the blog As for quoting, bah, you should absolutely join in - everyone else has! Personally, I think French accents are marvellous, be they good or bad
gilly Hi Ellie! Lovely looking (and sounding) wafers!
My husband and I are huge Python fans as well… in fact, we usually end up playing out this exact same sketch after we’ve eaten - one of us usually ends a meal by saying “I’m absolutely stuffed” in a sort of muffled low voice! Or another popular one is:
“How about cheddar?”
“Oh, we don’t get much call for it around here, sir”
“NOT MUCH CALL… it’s the single most popular cheese in the world!”
Emily My mouth is watering - they look soo good!
And I love the story behind the title as well. But really, I’m kind of surprised - no giant blanc mange?
Ellie Gilly - Thanks hon LOL! I love how these python sketches can so easily be incorporated into everyday life - my most used one at the moment is “run away! Run away” after I finish work for the day. I love that cheese shop quote - indignant John Cleese is fantastic!
Emily - aww, thanks sunshine! No no, the giant blancmange is for next week
Look at those sexy little wafers! I love them and I will definitely have to try them. But until I do … could you just make some for me???
:o)