As it says at the top of this page, "Saving the world, one bite at a time". Desperate times call for desperate measures, and sometimes I can't think of a thing in the world I can do to make anything better, save for making a batch of cookies.
When I came home from Michigan a couple of weeks ago, my luggage was bursting with cherries. As I desperately tried to get my suitcase shut, I must admit to thinking that this must have been how the guy in Midnight Express must have felt. Fortunately, cherries aren't considered to be contraband, so, loaded up with friend Sarah's incredible gift of pounds and pounds of the best the Upper Peninsula has to offer, I made my way home. Both dried and covered in dark, rich chocolate, I've been gently nibbling away at my incredible cache and enjoying every bite.
A couple of hours ago, after I made the mistake of listening to the news on the radio, I opened my trusty baking cupboard to look for some life-affirming inspiration. The first things that came to hand were the dried cherries, a big bag of roasted pistachios and that familiar cannister with the friendly Quaker man looking incredibly reassuring. I mean, really look at that guy. Is it just me, or does gazing upon his twinkly eyes, curly white hair and sturdy black hat make you feel more relaxed? Well, I decided to spend a little time with him, and plonked him down on the countertop tasked with sending me stolid, comforting vibes.
So, while they're still warm from the oven, here's the recipe I've just created to get me through today. Maybe you can make some too. And while yours may not sport cherries hand-carried from Michigan, I promise they'll be incredibly delicious and just might help you get through any shutdown--governmental or spiritual--that you may be dealing with.
That Quaker man just made me feel a whole lot better, and who's to say a batch of these babies won't change the world just a little bit? Come on, what have you got to lose?
Cherry Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
makes 4 dozen
14 ounces unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups Quaker Old fashioned oats
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup roasted and salted pistachios
Preheat oven to 350
Mix butter and sugars.
Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix well.
Add the oats, cherries and pistachios. Mix well
Place about a rounded tablespoonful of cookie dough for each cookie onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack and cool completely before storing in a tightly sealed cookie jar.
--adapted from the Quaker Oats container, with thanks to the lovely Quaker chap who I so enjoyed spending some quality time with today.