Episode 96: In Which Jessica Just Has Some Stuff To Say

I know I've said I was going to make this blog a food blog, and I guess I worried some of you. Let's be honest, I don't have the time to cook exciting things often enough for this blog to become entirely about food. Don't worry Adriana. I had intended to continue to post about the happenings here in my life...but every now and again attach it to a post about food as well. If that makes sense.

That said, the whole project is very much in its infant stages so we'll see if it ever grows up or if it suffers a tragic episode of SIDS.

Not much has happened here lately...or maybe nothing really compares to Christmas tree hunting. You may notice that I changed a few things on my blog. Hopefully you did NOT notice, because it was an accident and I couldn't get it back to normal. It does NOT make me happy. But let me know if the new font is too hard to read.

Anyhow, this week was quite relaxing for me. I didn't do nearly as much art as I should have, but it seems like it will be alright. We are FINALLY in the last week of school starting Monday and I cannot wait.

As for things that happened this week, Andrew did homework...I thought about doing homework. And we decorated the tree!

It's sooo pretty that every time I think about homework...I take pictures of the tree instead. =P

Speaking of the tree. I made this ornament for it. I found the idea on Pinterest of course. I basically took my wedding invitation and cut it into strips which I then put in the ornament. Once the strips are in the ornament, its a little hard to arrange them, but I still think it makes a wonderful ornament. It's like a snow globe, I always wanna shake it and rearrange everything. =P

What else? Not much. I did do 2 drawings on Friday and I don't want to brag but I am REALLY proud of them. Once school is out you can look forward to a picture filled post as I take pictures of everything I did this semester. I'm sure you want to know what came of all my screaming this past seventeen or so weeks. =P

All that remains is that I made cookies this afternoon. And that is my purpose in posting tonight...because this is a recipe that I've grown to LOVE. It makes amazing cookies and its really simple. Well, for me. It does call for browning the butter which is kind of a pain, but I personally like recipes that call for melted butter. That means that I can say "I want cookies" and make them right then and there because I don't have to wait for the butter to soften. Does anyone else feel annoyed when you have to wait for the butter to soften?

Anyhow, they are super chewy and delicious. :) I have this picture. It's not the most fantastic...but oh well.

Here's the recipe if you want it. If you try it, let me know what you think!

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies (from Cook’s Illustrated May/June 2009)

1¾ cups (8¾ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons (1¾ sticks) unsalted butter
½ cup (3½ ounces) granulated sugar
¾ cup (5¼ ounces) packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.

3. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whish for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using), giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.

4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use a #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet.

5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10-14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

One final note before I sign off...it was something funny that I came home to the other day. Andrew and I love chocolate covered raisins. The jar from Costco never lasts long in our house. One day, Andrew texted me and said he had saved the last of the raisins for me. I was touched. This is what I found when I got home.