Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I almost always think there is too much sugar in a recipe. When I read this recipe and I saw it called for a cup of sugar, I thought that was too much. Then I kept reading and saw it actually calls for two cups of sugar. I almost couldn't believe it. I searched the comments because I was sure it was a typo and people would have pointed it out. There was nothing in the comments. I decided to make the cookies with one cup of brown sugar and that was plenty. Plenty, plenty, plenty. These are very good and I can't imagine how sweet they would be with another cup of sugar. It would be completely unnecessary. There is a lot of butter and the cookies are pretty flimsy, but they are disappearing quickly. Here's the recipe.

Corn soup

This soup is delicious. Make the recipe before the corn is all gone. I skipped the topping, and I made my own corn broth. This is inspired by the corn soup I had at Delfina, and I would dare to say it is just as good. I meant to buy fresh basil to put on top and I do think that would be very good.

Rice stuffed tomatoes

I liked this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I added a huge serving of feta to my portion. I thought they were delicious. Two and a half hours later I was starving.

COLD SOBA CORIANDER BOWL

I like cold soba noodle salads, and found this one on the offshoot of 101cookbooks.com, called QuitoKeeto. I've made it twice now and we enjoyed it. I even bought a mortar & pestle, as the first time I tried to crush coriander seeds with a knife or fork, I quickly realized its worth.

I found French breakfast radishes! (I also found the taste the exact same as regular radishes!)

The one thing I would change: I would double the dressing recipe, but be weary of how much oil you use. The first time I made this recipe, I tasted too much olive oil and not enough of the other ingredients. Obviously, I added spinach and some other greens, you can throw many veggies in here that could work. (I had black sesame seeds, hence the black coloring)

Trail Mix Cups

I got a cookbook called The No-Cook, No-Bake Cookbook from the library in early August as I braced for the heat.  The heat didnt really show up this month (until this past weekend).  I made few things from the cookbook, even though the temps were mild and it rained most days.  These trail mix cups were a highlight. 


Very easy to make (food processor a must) and delicious to eat.  I forgot to buy cashews so used almonds in their place.  Coupled with the almond extract and almond butter, they were very almond-y, which I like.  Next time I make them, I might make them in two batches as the food processor was really full.  I also might try making them in mini-muffin cups.

1 1/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup unsalted raw or roasted almonds
1/2 cup unsalted raw or roasted cashews
1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1/3 cup unsalted shelled raw or roasted sunflower seeds
2 T hemp or chia seeds
2 T ground flaxseeds
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup finely chopped dark chocolate
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup unsalted almond or peanut butter
Grated zest of 1 orange
1 tsp almond extract

Add the oats, dates, almonds, cashews, cranberries or cherries, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flexseed, and salt to a food processor and process until the oats and nuts are pulverized.  Add the chocolate, honey, almond or peanut butter, orange zest, and almond extract and process until the mixture clumps together.

Divide the mixture among 12 greased or paper-lined standard-size muffin cups, and press down firmly to pack in the contents.  Place the tray in the freezer for about 30 minutes to harden up.  Unmold the cups and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Deodorant

I was surprised when Clotilde from Chocolate and Zucchini said that one of her most popular posts is a recipe for deodorant. She recently updated her recipe and I decided to try it. I ordered the few ingredients I didn't have from Amazon.com and made this in about ten minutes. It's really easy, I like the smell very much, and it seems to work.

I now have a life time supply of beeswax and essential oil so if you want me to make you some, let me know.

Baked Mac&Cheese

The wind is roaring. I'm freezing. It's a typical July in SF. Therefore, I'm seeking warm and comforting food. I made this mac & cheese partly because I am lazy. I love the idea of not cooking the pasta (one less thing to do, one less dish to wash). The corners might have had too much crunch but the rest of the dish was awesome. Really good. S loved it. Make it the next time you feel cold.