Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars & Awards to be Shared

Sometimes, you never quite know which direction your life will take.  Some of us are quite purposeful, and others are more inclined to act on a whim.  But when you step back a bit and consider each type of individual, I’m one who will say there is little difference.  It’s all about perception, and you know what is said about that, right?

Perception is everything.

Regardless, my mother decided to relocate to the East Coast after more than 40 years of living here.  She sold nearly everything she owned, and what she couldn’t sell, she gave away, packed her car, loaded up her kitty and set out for the 3,000 mile drive with the help of a younger sister.

That was last summer, and things being what they sometimes are, she is now here with us after driving the distance again by herself.

She’s 70 years old.

Needless to say, we’ve been busy settling her in, moving things around, and working on attempting to try to think about developing a plan for the idea of a new routine. Hopefully you caught the nebulousness of that statement. We’re a bit drifty, but we do have fun.

You know.  So I might just maybe get back into the swing of blogging.  There are just not enough hours in the day.  They evaporate before I can get everything lined up, and I’m left thinking about tomorrow.  This isn’t such a tragedy to me, other than I enjoy blogging, and miss it when I don’t have time for it.  Okay, so it’s a disaster.

Besides, my iPhoto stash of food photos certainly hasn’t stopped.  And when I go back through them, if I haven’t written about them, I forget what was on the menu.  What a loon, yes?

So to celebrate getting back on track, or at least my attempt to get back on track, I must say that I’ve been given the honor of receiving the Yummy Blog Award, gifted to me by Zainab & "Meedo" of Arabic Bites, a glorious place full of heavenly spices and flavors — some of which are new to me, and others, I can’t wait to dig into in my kitchen.

                                                      Yummyblogaward

The Yummy Blog Award requires me to list my favorite dessert or desserts I’ve either prepared myself or have eaten.  This includes candy…can you imagine the possibilities on this?  My brain is getting fat just thinking of it.  Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t pass the award along, because I can think of umpteen gazillion people who deserve it.

So I’ll be creative.  What else is new, right?  And thanks again, Zainab & Meedo, for taking the time to recognize my little speck in the bloggosphere!

My first favorite is:  An old favorite from my childhood…

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Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie Bars

My friend Becky’s mother used to make these bar cookies to take to Square Dances of all things.  She’d drag the two of us along, and we’d oogle at all the brightly colored swirling skirts and hover around the dessert table, sneaking all that we wanted.  Img_7461
Although her mother made something I remember as "Congo Bars," they were essentially chcocolate chip cookies in bar form with nuts.  How can you go wrong? This recipe is Guittard’s.  To make the bars instead of the cookies, spread the dough into a 9" x 13" pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Img_7467
We like the bars chewy, so if you’re like us, make sure you don’t overcook.  You may want to cut these small.  They’re pretty sweet and a little bit goes a long way with a glass of milk, cup of coffee or tea.  They pack well for school lunches, too!

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Cheesecake

I love cheesecake any way I can get it.  Although I’ve made a few in my lifetime (understatement) I’ve only written about a couple of them since starting this blog last year.  But I know somebody else who loves cheesecake and everything I’ve seen on her blog is beyond delicious, so there’s no way I can pass up peabody of Culinary Concoctions by Peabody who has to be the Queen of Sweet Yummies. And the only thing that could possibly be more heavenly to me than cheesecake?  Cheesecake made with goat cheese.  Oh.  Yum.

Chocolate Mousse

I love chocolate, and a dark chocolate mousse is something I enjoy languishing over.  I’ve tried many recipes for mousse over the years as well, but remember making it last year for the very first food event I entered.  When the round up was posted, I was blown away by the other’s creations and knew that there would never ever be enough time to try all the recipes.  And I think maybe that’s how I met Helen who is the incomparable Tartelette.  What?  You haven’t been there yet?  Well what in hell are you waiting for?  Now would I ever have thought of putting my mousse in a clever glass?  Um.  No.  But I have learned so much since starting this blog, and Helen’s creations have always been an inspiration.  AND she’s hilarious!  What better combination goes with chocolate mousse

Apple Pie

What do you suppose it is about apple pie? Is it the cinnamon?  Or the hint of citrus?  Perhaps the nuts that are sometimes added.  Who cares?  I love apples sauteed, baked, and encased in flaky pastry and laced with spices.  Love.  Apples.  I’ll take them with a bit of cream or with ice cream, too, if you force me.  And it’s not a challenging task.  Cheers to Deborah of Taste and Tell for always being one who tells it like it is with the food she makes.  She’s someone to count on.

 
Cinnamon Rolls

So if you’re me, once you’ve tasted a Cinnabon, you’re wasted.  No cinnamon roll will ever compare.  If you’re disgusted about now and are thinking, "whatever," then fine.  But trust me.  You have no clue.  I love the perfect cinnamon roll.  Not too bread-like.  Not oozing with toping that cloakes the flavor of the cinnamon.  Just the right combination of ooey gooey need to wipe your fingers off after you’re done stuffing the loveliness into your mouth.  Yes, that kind of cinnamon roll.  Simply amazing.  And if you’ve never met someone who "gets" yeast, then acquaint yourself with Breadchick of The Sour Dough or Susan of Wild Yeast.  They’ll set you square.  But plan to read, because if I’ve learned anything about yeast people, it’s all in the text.  You can’t drive by either of their sites.  Really.

Is that enough awards to pass on?  Let’s see:  In case you missed them, those deserving of the Yummy Blog Award from my perspective would be (and the links are above…):

  • Peabody of Peabody’s Culinary Concoctions
  • Helen of Tartelette
  • Deborah of Taste and Tell
  • Breadchick of The Sour Dough
  • Susan of Wild Yeast

Of course there are others.  Lots of them.  But these few represent my favorite desserts, which linked with the award. 

Clever, don’t you think?

Happy eating.