Back To Basics:
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Starting off the new year has not been without incident or drama. Last week was filled with doctors, specialists, tests, and more tests. By mid-week tests were still inconclusive and I was fearing the worse as some symptoms were seemingly advancing. A sigh of relief as I heard from doctors with test results and analysis by mid-to-late afternoon on Friday. I’m not out of the woods yet – but something I can work with.

Feeling ever so grateful, in hopeful spirits and feeling better than I had all week, Hubbs and I met a couple at one of our most favorite hangouts. I was good – herbal/decaf hot tea and happy hour food in absolute moderation (including the best fish tacos in Southern California!). Drama ensued as one of the members of our “couple” had four too many glasses of wine without anything to eat. The usual emotional outbursts (usual meaning this happens whether or not this particular person has had wine or not) and this person’s ever-so classic M.O. drama-filled exits wrapped up what should’ve been a pleasant evening.

You’d think I learned my lesson from decades of the same behavior from the usual suspect. Moral to the story:

• Red Alert: Call it an evening when the people you meet up with adamantly refuse to eat, but irresponsibly insist to continue drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Never, never meet up with usual suspects that have a high drama incident record at a place where people know you!
• Consider: Why in the world did you ever open up this can of worms by trying to have a nice evening with usual suspects whose motto has always been “me, myself and I”?
• There’s gotta be a fourth point to this story…

I think this calls for getting back to basics. When we’re talking about healthful basics, oatmeal is the boss!

There is more protein in oats than any other cereal grain! Oats are full of soluble fiber that can lower cholesterol.

I have several go-to favorite oatmeal cookie recipes. Some variations require more ingredients and maybe even more work. Some variations include adding all kinds of healthful elements, and then there are some that are just the basics. This recipe is that – the basics. Sometimes I just want a non-jazzed up oatmeal raisin cookie and this one fits the bill! This recipe is quick and easy and these oat-goodness goodies contain some added richness with the use of dark brown sugar.

With a couple of ingredient additions to this recipe from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food magazine, I’m adding these cookies to my repetoire of oatmeal cookie favorites. They’re full of chewy oatmeal goodness and with the increased amount of raisins, addition of walnuts and ground cinnamon, they more than satisfy that cookie craving!

• Used 1 cup of raisins.
• Added 1 cup of walnuts, chopped and lightly toasted.
• Added a heaping 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Rotate pan half-way through baking time.
• This recipe only uses 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour. Can instead use 1/4 cup all-purpose flour AND 1/4 cup whole wheat flour.
• Can substitute dried cranberries in place of the raisins.
• Watch baking time.

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Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Note: My modifications are not reflected below

Makes about 2 dozen cookies

What You’ll Need

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE (external site)

from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, September 2008

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