Supersized, Super-Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe comes from King Arthur flour. Bear in mind that it takes 24 hours. But the cookies are yummy. 16 to 17 large (4") cookies or 28 medium (3") cookies

Ingredients

2 cups (426g) light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons table salt
16 tablespoons (226g) unsalted butter, cut into 1" pieces
1/2 cup (113g) milk, whole preferred
2 3/4 cups (330g) King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour, divided
2 large eggs, cold from the refrigerator
1 tablespoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups (340g) semisweet chocolate, preferably 60% to 65% cocoa content*

*Use chopped wafers or bars for best results; if using chocolate chips, chop them roughly before incorporating. 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and salt. Set aside.  
2. To brown the butter: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. After several minutes, the butter will sizzle and may spatter. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan regularly, for about 5 to 7 minutes, until it’s a dark golden brown color and brown bits start collecting at the bottom of the pan; the butter will have stopped sizzling and may also have a layer of foam on the surface. 
3. Once the butter is browned, immediately pour it over the sugar mixture (be sure to scrape out the brown bits at the bottom) and whisk vigorously to combine; this helps dissolve the sugar slightly and creates the shiny surface of the baked cookies. (The mixture will stay lumpy and won't become smooth at this point.) Set the empty saucepan aside to cool slightly. 
4. To make the tangzhong: In the same saucepan used to brown the butter, combine the milk with 3 tablespoons (23g) of the bread flour and whisk until no lumps remain.  
5. Place the saucepan over low heat and cook the mixture, stirring regularly with a whisk and then a flexible spatula, until it’s thickened, paste-like, and starts to come together into one mass, about 2 to 3 minutes. 
6. Remove from the heat and transfer directly to the bowl with the butter and sugar. Whisk until mostly smooth; some lumps of the tangzhong mixture are OK.  
7. Add the eggs and vanilla and continue whisking until smooth. 
8. Weigh or measure the remaining 2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon (307g) bread flour by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Add the bread flour to the bowl with the butter and sugar, then add the baking powder and baking soda. Using a whisk or flexible spatula, stir until well combined and no dry spots remain. 
9. Place the bowl, uncovered, in the refrigerator and allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. 
10. While the batter is cooling, use a serrated knife to roughly chop the chocolate into coarse pieces. Avoid chopping the chocolate too fine, as small pieces will melt when mixed into the dough. 
11. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and fold in the chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl and return to the refrigerator for 24 to 72 hours to allow the flavors to intensify. 
12. To bake the cookies: When you’re ready to bake, remove the chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow it to warm up slightly. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. 
13. Scoop the dough into 85g to 90g portions; a level scone and muffin scoop works well here. If you’re scooping by hand, the mounds of dough should be about 2 1/4" in diameter. To make smaller cookies (that are still generous in size), scoop the dough into 50g portions using a jumbo cookie scoop. 
14. Arrange the scooped cookie dough on parchment-lined baking sheets, them 3" to 4" apart. (Five dough balls fit perfectly on a half-sheet pan. The 90g cookies can be arranged in a 2-1-2 pattern; the 50g cookies can be arranged in a slightly staggered 4 x 2 pattern.) For consistently shaped cookies, roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball before baking.
15. Bake the large (90g) chocolate chip cookies for 18 to 22 minutes or the smaller (50g) cookies for 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges are set and the cookies are browned, rotating the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning. (For best results, bake one pan of cookies at a time.) Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets until cool enough to handle, at least 15 minutes. 
16. Storage information: Store leftover chocolate chip cookies, covered, for up to 5 days; their slightly crispy edges will soften and the cookies will maintain a soft texture. Freeze baked cookies for longer storage. 

Notes

• To avoid scooping chilled (relatively hard) cookie dough: Scoop the dough after about 1 to 2 hours of chilling (step 11) and then return to the refrigerator to continue chilling for 24 to 72 hours. Follow the recipe as otherwise written. 

• For a more complex, less sweet flavor: Replace up to 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate with bittersweet chocolate (between 70% to 75% cocoa content).

• To bake immediately (no overnight rest): Prepare the recipe as written through chopping the chocolate (step 10). Prepare a 9" x 13" pan with a parchment paper sling; lightly grease the shorter, exposed sides of the pan with nonstick spray. Fold in the chopped chocolate, and then immediately transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake at 350°F for 34 to 38 minutes, until well-browned and set. A toothpick or thin knife inserted into the center should come out with some moist crumbs but no raw batter. Cool the cookie bars completely before using the sling to remove them from the pan and slicing.

• Scooped cookie dough can be also stored in the freezer (after step 13). Bake frozen cookie dough until the edges are set and the cookies are browned, about 22 to 24 minutes. These cookies will spread slightly less than cookie dough that was baked after a 24-hour rest in the refrigerator, but they’ll still have their signature shiny appearance, soft texture, and caramelized flavor. 

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients, except for brown sugar.
2. Mix wet ingredients (and brown sugar) and add to dry ingredients.
3. Add chocolate chips and mix.
4. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

229 calories each for 12 muffins.

Fresh Fruit Crisp

This comes from an old Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, although I cut the sugar in half.

Ingredients

1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
9 apples (or whatever amount fits in a 9x13ish pan)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except for apples. Use a pastry blender to cut the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Peel, core, and slice fruit to make 8-10 cups.
3. Place fruit in a baking dish (something on the order of 9x13).
4. Sprinkle with topping.
5. Bake at 350 for 40-45 degrees.

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies

Healthy and tasty and even diabetic friendly. I made 9 cookies, at 90 calories each. If you add 3 tablespoons chocolate chips, add 23 calories each.

1 very ripe banana

1 egg

1 cup quick oats

1/4 cup crushed walnuts

1/4 cup coconut flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Dash vanilla

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients. Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, measure 9 cookies onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Napa Cabbage Salad

Ingredients

1 head napa cabbage

1 bunch minced green onions

⅓ cup butter

1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, broken

1 cup slivered almonds

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

¾ cup vegetable oil

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions

1. Finely shred cabbage; do not chop. Combine green onions and cabbage in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Make the crunchy topping: Melt butter in a pot. Stir ramen noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds into the pot with melted butter. Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake the crunchies in the preheated oven, turning often to make sure they do not burn, for 5 to 7 minutes. When they are browned remove them from the oven.
4. Make the dressing: Heat oil, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce together in a small saucepan. Bring the dressing to a boil, let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and let cool.
5. Toss together cabbage with crunchy topping and dressing immediately before serving. Serve right away or the crunchies will get soggy.

Herby Fish with Wilted Greens & Mushrooms

from EatingWell.com

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

½ large sweet onion, sliced

3 cups sliced cremini mushrooms

2 cloves garlic, sliced

4 cups chopped kale

1 medium tomato, diced

2 teaspoons Mediterranean Herb Mix (see below), divided

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt, divided

½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

4 (4 ounce) cod, sole, or tilapia fillets

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Mediterranean Herb Mix

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

2 tablespoons dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried mint

1 tablespoon dried sage

Directions

1. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid and begin to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add kale, tomato, and 1 tsp. herb mix. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is wilted and the mushrooms are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Remove from heat, cover, and keep warm.
2. Sprinkle fish with the remaining 1 tsp. herb mix and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until the flesh is opaque, 2 to 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Transfer the fish to 4 plates or a serving platter. Top and surround the fish with the vegetables; sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Crispy Smashed Broccoli with Balsamic & Parmesan

 From EatingWell.com

Ingredients

8 cups bite-size broccoli florets (about 1 pound)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (see Tip)

Tip

Balsamic glaze is balsamic vinegar that's cooked until it's very thick. Look for it with other types of vinegar in well-stocked supermarkets. Or make it yourself by boiling 1 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 14 minutes.

Directions

1. Position oven rack 6 inches from broiler. Preheat broiler to high.
2. Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Steam broccoli until just tender, about 3 minutes.
3. Spread broccoli on a large rimmed baking sheet. Using the bottom of a mason jar or sturdy glass, flatten each floret. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Evenly distribute Parmesan over the florets. Broil until the broccoli is lightly browned and the cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.