For Miyoko (sort of)

At some point (I think last week), I asked if anyone had any questions for me. I received back one smart ass remark, one pity question from Meredith and one geniune request from Miyoko. My friend Miyoko is off in Japan for a year, teaching English to high school kids. Apparently, these kids love to cook, especially dessert. This is my favorite dessert and it rocks with kids, because it is individual and they can each have one.

This is the first recipe I mastered on my own - I've since tweaked it to fit my moods. This recipe hails way back to my six year old self, before I could cook, before I liked vegetables, before my CSA and fancy cooking gadgets. This is classic Americana comfort food, right here.

Lena's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs milk
1.5 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 oz chocolate chips

1. Melt the butter! This is a controversial baking move. I do it because it's easier to mix melted goo than to cream two solids together. But it makes for an amazing end result. Mix in your sugar.


2. Add your egg. You could beat it before you add it - but then you'd have to clean an extra dish and a fork (or a whisk). Add your milk and vanilla too and mix well.


3. Add your flour, half a cup at a time. Mix after each addition. Add the salt and baking soda with the final half cup.


4. Add your chocolate chips and stir.


5. Form into small balls (giggle if you're a fourth grader...I know I am) and place on a cookie sheet that's been either greased or lined with tin foil or parchment paper (that's what I always do - then you don't have to wash the pan). You can use a teaspoon if you don't like to use your hands, otherwise, grease your hands with some canola oil or butter so that the dough doesn't stick to them and roll out the dough with your hands! That's what I do. Love it.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

I only like to bake one tray at a time. My oven is weird and if you put too much stuff in it, it doesn't cook as evenly.

Then you eat your yummy cookies! I like to eat them when they're still warm with a glass of ice cold milk. What could be better than that?