Rochester doubletree cookies.

They give you these amazing warm chocolate chip cookies when you check in at a Hilton doubletree.  Brilliant play for customer loyalty.  

I didn't fully cognate how amazing they were until we were staying at the Rochester doubletree while visiting the museum of play and I was wondering if Dan had gotten the cookies when he checked in.  I was with the boys in the car. Of course he did. 

Thank you Internet and ex hilton chefs for the recipe. 

This is the slightly healthy version:

1/2 cup rolled oats
2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
2 eggs
2 cups semi-sweet, chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix by hand until ingredients are well blended.

For the best results, chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies. 

Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart. Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle. Store in a sealed container when cool to keep soft.

Sent from my iPhone

Minted snap peas.

So many ways to make these, but this is basically Martha's recipe. A nice simple version. Sometimes it's good to use olive oil in place of butter

1 lb of peas
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
1 tsp Salt and pepper

Bring water 1/2 tsp salt and butter to boil in a large pan on high heat. Add peas, cover and cook for a few minutes then remove lid, toss and allow water to cook off over medium heat for a few minutes. Toss with mint and remaining salt and pepper to taste.

Totally bananas banana bread.

Sugar free banana bread! The only thing that's used to sweeten this bread is the bananas. And it's still plenty sweet and tasty.

Preheat oven to 350, grease and line a bread pan with parchment.

Mash and blend till smooth.

6 small or 4 large super ripe bananas
5 Tbsps softened butter
2 eggs


And add the mixed dry:

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup almond flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1 Tbsp ground flax(optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix in gently:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Pour into prepared pan, sprinkle top wig walnuts, and bake for about 45 minutes or until top is a nice brown color and a toothpick comes out clean, careful not to underbake.

Sugar free yum!

Circle Special

Banana bread

Banana bread

1cup ww flour
1/2cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1tsp soda
1tsp powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

3 very ripe mashed bananas
1 tbsp milk

1/2cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs

1 cup walnuts

325 for 50mins

Cherry Road Cookies

This is a recipe inspired by some yummy cookies our friend Eve brought us over Ike and Avi's winter break. Hers were vegan. They're a little on the cakey side with the cocoa nibs giving an amazing crunch for contrast.

Set oven to 375.

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl:

3 1/2 cups whole wheat or gluten free flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

Mix wet ingredients in a large bowl:

1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring gently.

Fold in:

1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup walnuts
1/3 cup cocoa nibs

Spoon onto cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Almond praline cookies

These take some extra work but they're worth it. Great for holidays or when you just want something a little special.

Set oven to 325 line a cookie sheet with parchment.

Toast in a large heavy pan:

1 1/2 cups almonds

remove from pan and in the same pan,  melt

1/2 cup sugar

When sugar has caramelized, return almonds to pan and toss to coat. Turn out onto parchment lined pan. While almonds cool:

In a large bowl mix until smooth and creamy:

1 cup softened butter
1 egg
Zest of one orange
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract or a splash of grand mariner, (optional)

When praline almonds are cool, break them up a bit and toss them in the food processor. Pulse until they are mostly pulverized with small almond bits remaining.  

To the food processor, add:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Pulse to combine.  Add dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and stir till combined.

Drop onto cookie sheets in large teaspoons.  Cookies will spread. Bake 8-10 minutes or till edges just start to brown.

Collard Greens

Just about the best thing for you! Full of iron, calcium, fiber and vitamins.

1 bunch collards stripped from stems and cut unto ribbons

6-8 cloves chopped garlic

Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan or pot on high heat.

Add collards stir and sear.

Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper, and the garlic. Stir and lower heat. Add a little water or stock if they're too dry. Cover and allow to steam for up to an hour, adding water if necessary.

Late Hoppin John

Today we took down the tree. So since we didn't do our black eyed peas on new years day, I made them for dinner tonight.

Boil for an hour till tender:

1lb black eyed peas
6 cups water
1/2 onion cut in half
1 bay leaf

Finely dice and sautee in a large pot with 4 tablespoons butter:

1 onion
2 stalks celery
6 pieces bacon(fake or otherwise)
9 cloves garlic

Add:
boiled beans and onions
1tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1tblsp vinegar(optional)


Add water or stock for desired sauciness.
Simmer for another 10-30 mins and serve over rice with collard greens.  Scrumptious!