Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I’m always trying to make “new” recipes.  You know……something that no one else has the recipe for.  When people try what I make, I want them to be ahhhhhmazed by my flair and sophistication in the kitchen.

Who am I kidding?  I like to wrap stuff in bacon and go extra heavy on the caramel sauce.  Isn’t that what baking and cooking is really all about?

So yesterday I decided to go with an old stand-by.  A recipe I had long ago swiped from the lid of the Quaker Oats Oatmeal and tweaked up to my exclusive baking standards (i.e. extra chocolate chips and cinnamon).  For your eating pleasure I present to you……….

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

·        1/2 cup (1 stick) + 6 tablespoons butter, softened

·        1/2 cup granulated sugar

·        3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

·        2 eggs

·        1 teaspoon vanilla

·        1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

·        1 teaspoon baking soda

·        1/2 teaspoon salt

·        1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon…just one if you like a little less cinnamon, but you really should just trust me on this

·        3 cups rolled oats

·        An ENTIRE bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Some people will chose to add raisins to their ingredient list.  I would personally rather stir in a couple of roaches…….gag.

Via Pinterest…..From korinacaffeine.livejournal.com

Moving on.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two cookie sheets and set aside.

Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar together on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, then add to the butter mixture and beat until combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips. 

Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons and place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Lightly press down to flatten each dough ball. Bake for 9-11 minutes until done…slightly brown on the edges. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack and allow to cool completely. 

Makes about 3 dozen cookies. 

Spinach Artichoke Dip

It has been such a busy couple of weeks I have hardly had time to sleep, let alone blog.  So, after cleaning today with the girlies, we decided to take it easy…before I blogged. 

I took easy to a whole new level.

I made Spinach Artichoke dip for lunch.  For myself.  No sharing.

Nom.  Nom.  Nom.

I did take a few pics for you though, so you can see my laziness shine through.  The dip. In a bowl. On the couch. In front of the TV.  With my Twilight plastic cup filled with Diet Cherry Coke (my fav).

Want some?  Make your own.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

·        8 oz of cream cheese

·        ¼ cup mayo

·        ¼ cup sour cream

·        ¾ cup chopped drained spinach (I used frozen)

·        1 can artichoke hearts diced up

·        1 Tablespoon (at least) chili powder

·        Tortilla chips, veggies, or crackers for dipping

Soften the cream cheese in the microwave until it stirs smooth (1 minute).  Mix in mayo, sour cream, spinach, artichokes, & chili powder.  I take the stems out of the artichokes because yuck….I hate them.  I probably add more chili powder because I like a little spice and the ingredients really cool down the spice.  Be brave….add a lot! Dump the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake at 400 until cheese is beginning to brown.  (I think it is about 20 minutes but remember, I was being lazy and forgot to time it.

It’s so good even Edward wanted some.

He didn’t get any.  I ate it all.