Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Thumb-print Cookies

1/2 cup honey**
1/3 cup warm coconut oil or clarified butter
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot)
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
zest of one lemon
your favorite jam or preserves (preferably fruit sweetened) - berry goes nicely


**The original recipe is found here and calls for 2/3 cup honey

Preheat the oven to 350F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan and mix with honey and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. In a separate medium bowl combine the flour, oats, cornstarch/arrowroot, sea salt, baking soda, and lemon zest. Add the flour mixture to the honey and stir until just combined. Let the dough sit for 2-3 minutes and stir once again- the dough should be quite stiff.

Roll the dough into balls one level teaspoonful at a time, and place an inch or so apart on the prepared baking sheets. These will spread. Use a (damp) pinky finger or the back of a very tiny spoon to make a well in the top of each ball of dough. Fill each well to the top with 1/8 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 7 - 9 minutes or until the bottom and edges of the cookies are just golden. Resist the urge to over-bake, because they will dry right out.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Basic Lettuce and Fruit Salad

I know no one reads this blog, but I'm posting anyway. I made a delicious salad for lunch today, so I thought I'd share the happiness. It's really basic, but sometimes it's nice to be reminded of the basics, right?

Here's what you'll need for one lunch serving:

3-4 leaves of romaine lettuce
1 small apple (any flavor. I like pink lady or cameo)
4 medium strawberries
2 tablespoons raisins
1.5 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
a pinch of sea salt

Tear or cut the lettuce and set aside. Chop the apple into small pieces and slice the strawberries. Put the apples, strawberries, raisins, honey and lemon juice in a bowl and mix. Mix the dressed fruit and lettuce and sprinkle with salt. Enjoy.

This salad was so refreshing and it made me all the more excited for summer. I can't wait for all that fresh and juicy produce!

I hope you are all feeling healthy and happy.

Bonnie