Recipes: Best Soft Oatmeal Cookies

So, back again with more cooking, this time in the dessert department. ^^

This recipe pretty much wins for "best oatmeal cookies I've ever had" by a longshot. Slightly spicy (because of the cinnamon and nutmeg), plus they stay wonderfully soft for days after baking.


Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground or powdered cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (or to taste)
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 whole bar (355 g) Lindt Dark Chocolate, chopped into chunks


In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugars together. Beat in egg and vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients in a different bowl (flour, baking soda, salt, and spices).

Stir in with wet mixture. Mix in oats, then chocolate, trying to get an even distribution of chunks if possible. Cover and chill dough for about an hour (I'f found this not to be a terribly crucial step, but it does keep the cookies from spreading out too much when baked).

Preheat oven at 375 F; grease cookie sheets.

Roll dough into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place evenly spaced on cookie sheets, around 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8 to 10 mins. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about five minutes on the sheets before moving to wire rack.

enjoy!^^


~M

Recipes: Pear and Brie salad with toasted Pecans

So, since this blog seems to be woefully ignored, I've been thinking about what I can contribute.

Truth is, during the school year, I don't generally get the opportunity to do much crafting. Not to mention it's harder to motivate yourself to do it when you're not making something for another person (which is also why Christmas is my busiest crafting season >.>).

So! Instead, I've decided to share the once-a-week craftness I'm allowing myself in the simple form of trying a new or interesting recipe (usually based around an ingredient I think is interesting). (I generally try to aim for something that can be assembled in about 30-45 mins tops so that I can't be accused of procrastinating on school work. XD) This time around, I went for pears.

This one turned out AMAZINGLY; nowhere near as complex as it might sound, but absolutely delicious. Found on the foodnetwork.ca site (mine's adjusted to feed two people very comfortably since it's just my boyfriend and I eating usually).


Nutty Pear Salad with Grilled Chicken

2 whole chicken breast (small-medium size)
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
2 Tsp fresh thyme
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1 tsp honey (my version...I like honey-dijon dressings)

1 small pkg torn mixed greens
1 small pear, sliced
3 oz cold brie cheese, cubed
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Dressing:
1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp apple juice concentrate, thawed
1 Tbsp fresh chives, minced
salt + pepper to taste



Blend the first group of ingredients together in a small bowl, then put half over the tops of the chicken breast. Broil in oven for about 8 mins; remove, turn over and spread remaining sauce over chicken. Return to oven and broil for another five mins or so, until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Meanwhile, toast pecans in a frying pan until they begin to release their scent. Be careful not to let them burn since it can happen very quickly. Set aside and let cool.

In another larger bowl, combine salad dressing ingredients. Adjust to personal taste. Add greens, pear, brie, and pecans once they've cooled slightly. Toss ingredients together.

Serve with chicken breast sliced on top.

Enjoy!


~M