The other day my good friend Seth asked me what my favorite things to do were. I thought for a second, and then answered confidently, cooking. And then singing, and walking, and a few other things too. But it struck me then how true that statement was. I'm not a magnificent cook. I have ideas or recipes that turn out spectacularly well, and others that I wouldn't want to take credit for at all. But cooking, baking, is one of those things that no matter how the finished product turns out, I take great pleasure in the preparing. It's a big stress reliever for me, and although it may be a slightly more pricey habit than say singing or walking, it's certainly much more realistic than a shoe-buying habit or other such things. I love that I can take a recipe, and a few ingredients, and in a short little span of time I can have created something truly delicious and satisfying. I love that food is the great unifier. People gather where there is food. And they gather for the food. Eating somehow makes the company sweeter, and the conversation better.
As a human being, I seem to have a love/hate relationship with food. I need food for nourishment, but too much food means a heap of problems. That's long term and short term. Too much food in the long term means too much weight and health issues. (Likewise, too little also has its problems.) Too much food in the short term means an upset stomach and a good dose of guilt. But to find that perfect balance of flavor and volume, to be satisfied but not stuffed, to have, as my Dad used to say, your "sufficiency suffonsified" is so fulfilling. To have created something that has that effect even more so. To share it with others, the most satisfying.
Tonight I needed chocolate. And so I whipped up a batch of these mint chocolate cookies from a recipe I found on the Foodess blog. And boy oh boy was I satisfied. I didn't have any chocolate chips, but these babies are ohso rich even without them. Three little inch-and-a-half cookies and a tall glass of milk later my craving was completely satiated and here I am sitting at my desk with a smile still on my face. The recipe is easy peasy, and they only take about seven minutes to cook (Yes, I've adjusted this time slightly from the original recipe because I don't like crunchy cookies!) and you probably already have ninety percent of the ingredients sitting in your pantry and fridge. Enjoy, enjoy, and enjoy. ;)
MINT CHOCOLATE COOKIES
1 cup softened butter (2 sticks)
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp peppermint extract
2 cups flour
1 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Up to 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks as desired
Preheat oven to 350° F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. (I just used my magical baking Silpat things. Magical magic.)
Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs and peppermint. Gradually add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt and beat until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1-2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Flatten balls slightly. (They will expand very slightly when baked, but for the most part will keep their shape.)
Bake for about 7 and a half to 9 minutes, depending on how soft you want the cookies. Cool on the baking sheets for five minutes, and then transfer to paper towels or wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 48 cookies.
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