Saturday, January 19, 2008

I'm Back Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

photo by TSW

I know, it's been FOREVER since I last updated my blog. At about the time I posted my last entry, I started a new job for which there was and still is a huge learning curve, and I just did not have the bandwidth to be creative in the kitchen. At the end of the day, all I did was eat cereal and crawl into bed which was nothing to write about. I cooked, just not new items. And my camera went MIA in March which left me more sad and defeated then I already was or would admit to. And while friends happily lent me cameras I couldn't impose anymore. Not that I got a new camera for this entry....But it's a new year, I'm in a better space at work, and I have the energy (almost too much some say) to blog about food again. Plus since I've doubled the number of miles I run a week, I'm constantly hungry and need to cook more to keep up with all my cravings. I can't keep enough food around anymore.

I've been wanting to write about this recipe for months. In October, Susie and I hosted our own hugely successful tea time in Chicago where these cookies were served to rave reviews. Joe, the man who rocks the shaved head look, Susie's husband, has a dairy allergy and this recipe met all of his allergy requirements with some substitutions. By their amazing taste you would never guess how healthy they really are. These are the truly guiltless cookie and they aren't fat or sugar free. So quick, so easy, so tasty, so not Chips Ahoy. And they freeze really well if one can manage not eat them all when they come out of the oven.

A lot of cooking is about making new memories and recreating old one's or at least capturing the sentiment behind the memory. For example, I remember that I both burned my left hand and sliced my left thumb for Chicago tea time. Was it worth it -- totally. Thank goodness I only remember the humor in it all. But in general, the scent of these cookies baking conjures images of autumns in all the great cities I've lived in, like walking into my warm home after a mid-afternoon walk through the leaves.


Ingredients

-1 c. pumpkin
-3/4 c. sugar (I reduced this to 1/2 cup -- think less is more)
-1/2 c. oil
-1 egg
-2 c. flour (I ground up 1 cup oatmeal to pack in more fiber -- think substance vs. fluff)
-2 tsp. baking powder
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. milk
-1 c. chocolate chips (semi-sweet is always best)
-1 tsp. vanilla

-Nuts (optional)

Preparation
Dissolve baking soda in milk; set aside. In large bowl add pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg; stir. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 10 to 12 minutes or until done.

While these cookies "look" perfect. They aren't -- they're missing cinnamon which is absolutely necessary since it enhances the taste of the pumpkin.

Indulge; cook and create your own memories.

13 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Those cookies look extremely yummy! I love pumpkin in anything...

Cheers,

Rosa

Deborah said...

I'm so glad you are back! I've wondered where you went!

These cookies sound amazing!

lattégirl said...

I tend to hang in now, when favourite bloggers disappear for months at a time. Glad I did. I don't have anyone to bake for, but these (and all your other creations) look and sound delicious.

Glad to see you back, running, cooking, and all that :)

test it comm said...

Happy New Year! I am glad to see you back. Pumpkin and chocolate chip cookies sound pretty good! This recipe also sounds pretty healthy.

Anonymous said...

Pumpkin, as per me is a versatile vegetable....it can be mingled into a cookie, a pie, a cake, a simple vegetable, a soup and the list goes on and on......these cookies look perfect....

Cris said...

They look great to me! Thanks for the movie recommendations! Do you work with IT, just curious, they way you started your post, that's all, hehe.

Nirmala said...

Thanks everyone for the supportive comments. Cris -- I'm not in IT, not even close. I work in philanthropy.

Cynthia said...

Nirmala! I wondered where you'd gone to. Sorry for not enquiring by email but the thing is that I have been so crazy busy. It is so good to see you again.

Unknown said...

Do I know how you feel! It seems like I don't have time anymore but I am constantly wanting to blog, I just never make it to the computer. Those cookies look too good! Hope to hear more about your cooking!

culinaryprincess said...

Welcome back babe!!i was wondering where u went and if everything was alright.i should run more too like u but just haven't got around to it :)

Mansi said...

HI Nirmala, I'm for CA too:)

that's a good-lloking cookie, though I would hesitate about pumpkin:) but I'm seeing the cupcakes below which look more appealing!!:D

Unknown said...

Welcome back Nirmala, my Mum makes some types if pumpkin cookies which are super but they have to be fried and are not so health:-) so I am guessing yours are as good but healthier, cant wait to try the,
Thanks for sharing
X M

Dhivya said...

Hi it looks yummy.U have a nice blog.please do see my blog and encourage me