I've been enjoying my sojourn so far. It's been nice having time to catch up on things that I've put off indefinitely, like cleaning, reading, cooking and sleeping in. Man, is it still sleeping in if you wake up at 8am? I guess so, compared to rolling out of bed at 5:15am! Yikes :-)
I made cookies for the the first time in forever; from the Harrowsmith Cookbook. Check it out.. (these are not low-fat, but could probably be adapted.)
Harrowsmith Cookbook's Choc. Chip Cookies
You will need:
1 cup of butter (or margarine)
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts (any kind will do)
12 oz. choc. chips
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease, oil or spray non-stick spray on a couple of cookie sheets. Spread wax paper on the counter for your bounty (or get out a couple of wire cooling racks.)
Cream butter and sugars together into a gooey mass, then add eggs and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients in order listed and mix well. Fold in nuts & choc. chips.
Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets with 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 8 - 10 min. depending on how big your cookies are. Should make about 6 dozen (but I've never been able to make more than about 4.)
YUM!
Now, adapt the recipe!
For a lower calorie treat, try the following changes. Warning; I haven't tried these, so no guarantees!
Lite Cookies
1/2 cup margarine (or olive oil) & 1/2 cup of 50% fruit jam.
1 cup brown "sugar" Splenda
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
4 egg whites, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup fine corn meal.
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup mini choc. chips or carob chips. (Or omit chips altogether.)
Cream together margarine and jam into goo, while adding Splenda, molasses and honey. Add beaten egg whites and vanilla. Next, sift together whole wheat flour, oats and corn meal, along with baking powder and salt. Mix altogether. Fold in chopped almonds and mini choc. chips (if using.)
Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Cook for 8-10 min. in a preheated 375 degree oven. Remove cookies to cooling racks and store in air-tight containers.
Makes approx 6 dozen.
Good luck!
Let me know if this turns out.
In addition to baking, I have indulged in making a few Quizzes at Quiz Heaven. It's been fun learning how online quizzes are constructed; there are 3 kinds: Generator Quizzes, Regular Quizzes and Percentage Quizzes. For an explanation of the differences in each, check out Quiz Heaven and try writing your own.
My Fun Time-Wasting Quizzes
Are you a Slob Beyond Redemption? (Generator)
The Danger of living vicariously through your pets..(Regular)
Lonelineless Quiz (Percentage)
What Lord of the Rings Female Character are you most like? (Regular)
PS--Here's a fun Quiz actually; anyone know the significance of the pic I posted? I haven't had a contest in awhile, so first correct answer wins a PRIZE! My last winner was Jay who guessed that my Pome contained my email address. She won exciting magnets with which to adorn her fridge. Maybe it'll be YOU next time!
