The Bestest Cookies Ever!

My second fondest memory of high school, aside from doing crazy ridiculous things Im sure I will encourage my children never to do, was recess. Not for the jungle gym or the gossip at the long tables. It was the cookies. Warm freshly made 90 cent cookies that had substance to them. They weren't like those cookies you get from a box or a pre made dough. These cookies weren't flat or boring, these were real cookies. These cookies had something no other cookies had. DUNKABILITY. And I mean these cookies were tough. A real man's cookie. Day in and day out we bought these cookies, along with a single serving carton of "if it moos you win" milk. Though the carton never mooed, we would open it from both sides and revel in the taste of warm gooey cookie soaked in cold refreshing milk. And thus, I give you .... THE BESTEST COOKIES EVER (or at least my attempt to recreate it) 

Ingredients

1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 extra-large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2  teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks 

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla extract.  

2. In a separate small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add in egg to butter & sugar mixture and incorporate well

4. Add flour mixture one spoonful at a time making sure to mix well between spoons. 

5. Fold in Chocolate Chunks 

6.  Form small 1 and a half-inch balls of dough and place on UNGREASED cookie sheets, 

7. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.  

Mango Lassi

Now it might have been the Olympics, or possibly the world cup, but lately I've been feeling a real sense of identity. My latest creation has a real sense of where I come from. It really makes me feel like I'm in the Motherland. Granted, I have never been to India...But if I went, and had a Mango Lassi, I'm pretty sure this is what it would taste like. 

Also, ever since watching Bend it like Beckham I've felt the need to be able to make a "full Indian dinner"...I know its just a drink, but its a start. 

The use of yogurt in this recipe and the minimal sugar which can be left out completely makes it a healthy favorite that everyone will love! 

Recipe Adapted from "Indian: A collection of over 100 Essential Recipes" 
Ingredients (Serves 4-5)

1 Large Mango, Peeled, Pitted and Coarsely Chopped.

3 Cups Plain Yogurt

1 Cup Cold Water 

2Tsp Sugar

Fresh Lime juice To taste (or leave it out)

Ice Cubes 

Ground Ginger to decorate 

Method:

1.) Put the Mango in the Food Processor or blender (I use a magic bullet for smaller portions) until smooth. Add water and process again to blend.

2.) Add sugar, depending on how sweet the mango is and how you like to enjoy your lassi. 

3.) Taste and add lime juice if you wish, to your liking

4.) Fill 4-6 Glasses with ice and and pour in mango lassi. Garnish with ground ginger (optional) or blueberries on a toothpick :P