Until August 9, 2019, our International Bistro is serving up tasty treats, and delicious lunches at the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s International Bistro has been a huge success. In it’s first two weeks, 415 lunches, 195 cookies, and 688 cups of coffee were served to guests.
The International Bistro is operated by Catering For A Cause, a social enterprise of SIRCH Community Services. SIRCH is a registered charity celebrating its 30th year of supporting the people of Haliburton County!
“The International Bistro is a great showcase of international foods, such as Thai Chicken, Saag Dahl, and Bibimbap. They may not be flavours typically associated with the Highlands, but our guests love the variety,” said Jay McIvor, Chef and Food Initiatives Coordinator for SIRCH. “In addition, we’re providing employment to three graduates of SIRCH’s Cook It Up food services training, which gives them relevant work experience and helps the local economy.”
Guests of the International Bistro can skip the line by ordering online!
Mobile users: tiny.cc/SIRCH-Lunch
Desktop/laptop users: tinyurl.com/Y552fhjq
“The International Bistro also serves up scrumptious snacks and treats,” said Jay. “One of our most popular items is our Amazing Ginger Molasses Cookies. They are full of flavour and easy to make!”

Here’s the recipe for Amazing Ginger Molasses Cookies. They take about 25 minutes to make, and make 24 to 36 cookies.
Ingredients
- 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1⁄2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling cookies
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1⁄3 cup un-sulphured molasses
- 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Cream butter and sugars together until nice and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
- Add egg, vanilla, & molasses and beat.
- In a separate bowl combine flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, black pepper and cloves.
- Combine wet ingredient mix with dry ingredient mix until well combined.
- Place remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar in shallow bowl. Scoop dough with small cookie scoop. Form into balls and roll in sugar. Place them on an ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-13 minutes. You want to slightly under cook them, or they become quite hard. Let them cool on baking pan for about 3 minutes. Remove, from pan and let cook on a wire rack. These freeze well and pack well for shipping also the recipe is fine doubled.