Thursday, April 8, 2010

Anniversary Cookies




Barefoot Bloggers
has two, yes, two cookie recipes this month! The Minxes think this is serendipity at its finest. I'm not the best baker, but cookies I can handle...I think. At this high altitude, even cookies can foil the Baking Gods.

This recipe is pretty straightforward; I did have to substitute chocolate chips for raisins, however. My children think raisins are the Devil's Instrument. Actually, so does hubs. What's so objectionable about little dried grapes, I do not know. Particularly if nestled into a buttery, cinnamon-kissed cookie?

Whatevs. If you are a raisin-hater, just use chocolate chips instead. Nobody will complain. Well, I might, because oatmeal raisin is my favorite cookie. I'm weird like that.

Raisin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
from Ina Garten's Back to Basics
makes about 30 cookies


1 1/2 cups pecans
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup granulated sugar*
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 1/2 cups raisins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place the pecans on a sheet pan and bake for 5 minutes, until crisp. Set aside to cool. Chop very coarsely.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla.

Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Add the oats, raisins, and pecans and mix until just combined.

Using a small ice-cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop 2-inch mounds of dough onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly with a damp hand. Bake 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a baking rack and cool completely.

* I reduced the sugar to 2/3 cup because I was using chocolate chips in the recipe. I think they were just sweet enough without being cloying.

***

I got no complaints with these. What's not to love?



***

In other news, I realized that I've been running my mouth in this space, obnoxiously posting jell-o and popsicle recipes, for one year, as of today. It doesn't seem nearly that long, and yet somehow it feels like forever. Does that make any sense?

I'd like to thank each and every one of you readers for sharing a corner of your day with me. I have learned so much from you, and remain stunned by the generosity and congeniality you've shown me.

I still honestly feel like I don't know what the Hell I'm doing here, but you've all made me feel at home. As a girl who has never really fit in anywhere, it's been humbling and shattering to find a place with such open minds, arms and hearts. Thank you for your encouragement, your willingness to listen to me yammer on, your witty and kind comments.

I've met so many amazing minds, amazing writers, amazing people that I am proud to call my friends.

And to those of you who read but don't comment, thank you, as well. I don't really know you, but I'm so glad you check in. And if you ever decide to jump into the fray, I'd love it. I'd love to meet you.

And finally, thanks to my dear, patient friend Ink. You pushed me into this virtual world, assured me I could do it, and coped with months of my neuroses when this fledgling blog debuted. Thank you for believing in me when I could not. There but for you go I.

42 comments:

  1. Happy, happy blogoversary, Kitch!!
    I am SO incredibly thankful that I "met" you!

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  2. Wow! One year?!?! Where did the time go? So glad you jumped into the fray and that I found you through it. It has been a joy to read your posts and I can't wait to see where you take it from here. P.S. I think we may have the same countertops. =)

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  3. I have just discovered your blog through another - and LOVE IT! I have begun following you - find our challenges with kids, cooking, etc. - very similar. I love your style (and your recipes and your humor) as I am, too, a former (and current, I guess) writer. Anyway.... nice to "meet" you - congrats on one year. Keep up the good work and fun!

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  4. I can't believe you've only been going for a year, you give off the fragrant air of an old pro. Well done you!

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  5. Happy Blogiversary!! Wow! A year?? That is amazing!!

    On a side note, I do not like raisins. I actually don't like any dehydrate fruit. Something about the texture really bothers me.

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  6. Happy Blogiversary! I hope I can last that long. I love reading your blogs when you weave a story in with a recipe. Especially the Sex in the City sloppy kiss with the crab and avocado thingy.

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  7. Oatmeal Raisin are awesome. I love the Southern Living recipe for them. They are most and chewy. Mmmm.

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  8. I'm not a raisin enthusiast but if you throw enough nuts in there, I'm good. Looks like these would pass my test.

    Congratulations! Keep on keeping on because we love it!

    (PRECIOUS picture, by the way! What's not to love, indeed!)

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  9. Happy day! So glad to have you as a bloggy friend.

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  10. Pecans and nuts? YUM!

    Congratulations on your blogoversary! We are so lucky to have you.

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  11. Cookies are the perfect hand-held bites of happiness, aren't they? I LOVE pecans in anything, and always toast them to bring out more complex flavors. And recently, I've discovered a love of golden raisins. Have you tried them? They seem more plump and tender than regular raisins.

    But - more importantly - happy blog anniversary!! I always look forward to your posts and funny stories, TKW. You can make me laugh (and sometimes grimace) like no other!

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  12. Cookies! What a perfect recipe for today. Congrats on one year in the blogosphere!! My virtual wish for you is no more vacation horrors to post about. And no more meat loaf. =>

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  13. Happy anniversary!
    You had better NEVER stop. I love this space and all of your words.
    xo

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  14. Happy Anniversary.
    And Kitchwitch..? You rock. Big time.

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  15. What a scrumptious way to fĂȘte your anniversary! (And oatmeal cookies with pecans are the best - you are tempting me tremendously.)

    Never disappointed stopping by here (even if my hips are spreading at the very thought of that recipe).

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  16. Happy Blog B'day.

    For the raisin haters in your household, would they permit craisins?

    Crap, now I want a cookie. You're pure evil Kitch.

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  17. LOVE you.

    Love the food, love the stories. Love every little fucking neurosis that you don't love because I, have I said this already, LOVE you. Shout out to Ink, btw, for leading me to you. LOVE that Ink dude, too, dude.

    LOVE.

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  18. How did you know I was a raisin-hater? Besides, I don't hate the bastards, I just think they have an attitude problem.

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  19. NOMOMNOM LOVE oatmeal cookies, though I usually go with the "Disappearing Oatmeal Cookie" recipe on the Quaker oat lid. Any major difference? I mean, other than the awesomeness of Ina, that is.

    Happy bloggoversary!! SO glad to have found you.

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  20. A year, congrats lady!
    I have to tell you I love checking in on what your up to, you write like we are sitting having a coffee and a catch up even though I have never met you, so THANK YOU!
    Cookies sound great BTW

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  21. Happy One year blogging anniversary! Wahoo! I'm not quite a year yet, and feel the same way you do. One nice thing though, people don't have to read it if they don't want to, so you can count on us and know we love you and want to be here!

    On to the cookies! I can't bake either, but feel I can do cookies! My daughter feels the same way about raisins, always has, but she'll eat tofu!

    Your cookies turned out beautiful! Yum!

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  22. Oh, Kitch. You've reminded me of that last pint of Ben and Jerry's in the freezer. Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, exactly that cinnamon-kissed goodness you describe! It's full sugar and therefore off-limits to me and D. But we can't bring ourselves to throw it away. Come save us?

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  23. Happy Bloggyversary!!! Whether words are coming out your mouth or food is going in the mouth, I don't care, it's all good. Ok, well, some sucks. Sucky stuff = bullying and dishes without bacon.... but I'm glad you dish it out for us to take something away as learning, entertainment, compassion, or straight-up fear of flying with your family.
    I heart you Witch.
    jc

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  24. Happy one year! I don't know if I would have stuck with my blog if not for your inspiration. Thank you so much for doing what you do! you have been so supportive of me and stumbling grasp of the English language.

    Keep it up girl!

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  25. I certainly don't remember how I found you...but I'm so glad I did!! I can't imagine you've not fit in your entire life...you are amazing!!! Oh and the picture of the little missy? Beautiful!

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  26. Congratulations on a year! Keep it up, I can't tell you how much I love reading you (and your always fantastic comments as well!)

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  27. Happy Anniversary to you! So happy to get a peek at your family's antics and yummy recipes, love to read your comments in my little corner as well!

    And the cookies look divine...will have to make for my sis, as she LOVES oatmeal raisin cookies...

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  28. Happy, Happy Blogiversary, dearest friend! The blogosphere is a better place for having your amazing, witty, and wonderful words in it. Am glad, daily, that you took the leap...

    Love you!

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  29. Happy, Happy Anniversary!! So proud of you on your one year accomplishment and so proud to call you a new friend! Keep at it. I look forward to your blog every day. :)

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  30. TKW, Jello and popsicles! Hardly!

    And on the topic of raisins I just want to say that last week me and raisins had a little altercation. I had to make Charoset for Passover and I was eating like a horse from a trough. Not good. Next year, only apples in the charoset!

    Happy one year blogiversary!

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  31. Happy Blogoversary!

    I like the idea of raisins AND choco chips

    Yum

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  32. Happy 1st!
    Go Ina! She never misses. I like raisins in my oatmeal cookies too...

    Re: Vacations: I did so enjoy reading parts I and II and sent quite a number of my family over to read it. (They won't comment though, they NEVER comment.)

    A year ago, my son, daughter and I took my 16 year old granddaughter to Europe. London, Paris and Venice in 10 days including travel time. My son and daughter (who are old enough to know better, although I must admit I knew nothing about it until later) were on the outs. Brothers and sisters sometimes are, no matter the age. Granddaughter started throwing up on day three and was sick all the way to Venice, where I finally called a doctor. She had 1 decent day at the beginning of the trip and 1 at the end. My son also had an asthma attack in London. (Where both son and daughter also saw ghosts in their hotel rooms.) I try not to think anymore about this fiasco of a trip, but granddaughter DID get an essay out of it.

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  33. Happy blogoversary, friend! I'm still working on that epic where-to-go list of suggestions for your NYC trip. :-)

    Cookies are usually my speed as well: not only are they difficult to foul up, but they also are easy to pack up and then share with people, thus not leaving you to scarf an unholy amount of sugar, butter and chocolate.

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  34. Happy Anniversary my blogging friend!

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  35. Congratulations on reaching an anniversary milestone! I for one am so glad I stumbled upon your blog; it's quickly become one of my favorites, and am so glad you share your life, your humor and your food with us out here in the blogosphere (as they call it).

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  36. Congrats on one year of making us all life, and relate to life as mom, wife and hormonally imbalanced woman (wait, that's me). I skipped making these cookies, to take a vacation. I posted, instead, an ass-busting dinner I made for my husband. Of course, i had to taste it to make sure he would like it. We did. Um, he did!

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  37. I don't get mushy for many people, but you have made my life a happier place, TKW. Thank you. You make me laugh, you make me face dirty chicken casserole memories, you diagnose my illnesses, you inspire me, and your writing motivates me to keep writing. I am so glad INK nudged you out on the scene and even happier that you stayed.

    I'd wish you a happy year anniversary, but I'm happier for the rest of us.

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  38. well now--congrats on hitting one year! that's no small feat, to be sure! your cookies look yummy. i hated raisins for the longest time, and although i can tolerate them now, i still obviously prefer chocolate chips. :)

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  39. Happy, happy anniversary! I just want to say how glad I am to have met you and I'm honored to call you my friend. You have been so sweet and so kind to ME - helping me make sense of blogs and bloggers. You fill my tummy with yummy recipes, my heart with laughter. For someone who "has never really fit in anywhere" you sure fit well in my heart! Love you, friend!

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  40. Happy One Year, TKW! You were one of the first two blogs I read that made me wonder if I really had the nerve to write a blog. Your writing is so easy and clean, and I thought that I couldn't possibly keep up. Evan read you and suggested I make you the carrot in front of my blog, as it were. "Follow TKW's lead and it will be a wonderful journey." And he was right.

    Thank you for the "you-ness" in your wonderful, beautiful blog!

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  41. I love you guys. You Rock My World. I'm grinning from ear to ear. xoxo, TKW

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