Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies Redux

I posted this last year, and now that I am beginning my Christmas baking for this year and plan to make a batch of these tomorrow, I thought I would repost this.  These cookies are a big hit and a favorite of my family and friends.

One of my favorite cookbooks is Baking From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan, and this recipe is from that book. 

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks unsalted butter (8 ounces) at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
2 large eggs
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped into chips or chunks
1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans*



*I used chocolate that had almonds in it and did not use any extra nuts.

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together the flour and baking soda.
With a stand mixer beat the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until smooth.
Add the sugars and beat until well blended about 2 minutes or so.
Beat in the vanilla and the espresso powder.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating 1 minute after each egg goes in.
With the mixer speed on low slowly add the dry ingredients until they are incorporated.
On low speed mix in the chocolate and nuts.
Spoon the dough by slightly rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between spoonfuls.
Bake the cookies--one sheet at a time and rotating the sheet at the midway point--for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are brown at the edges and golden in the center.  Allow the cookies to rest for a minute, then carefully, using a wide metal spatula, transfer them to racks to cool to room temperature.
This makes about 4 dozen cookies.

I like to make my own chunks and chips because I can use a better grade of chocolate than is in the commercial chocolate chips.

I chipped this coffee crunch chocolate bar.

I chipped some of this bittersweet chocolate with almonds.

Ready for the oven.

Cooling on wire rack.

A plate of cookies.

 These will be enjoyed on Christmas Eve.

Festivus Chai, a New Favorite Holiday Drink

A bottle of Festivus Chai.

Dan and I drink a lot of hot tea, especially in the winter time.  We also like chai (rhymes with pie)---a beverage that is a blend of black tea, honey, spices, and milk. And we prefer our chai hot.  

I was in Whole Foods the other day and noticed  a bottle of Festivus Chai concentrate on sale.  It probably caught my eye because we had just put up our Festivus Pole for Christmas.

Festivus Chai on sale at Whole Foods.

 If you're not a Seinfeld fan you may not be familiar with a Festivus Pole.  Both my grown boys were and still are dedicated Seinfeld fans, and they can repeat line for line quotes from many of the episodes of Seinfeld.  At Christmas they frequently quote from the episode about the Festivus Pole. 

Several years ago, Dan made us a Festivus Pole---actually I think he made it to surprise the boys.  It has been a fun part of our Christmas ever since.  One is not supposed to decorate the pole in any way, but we usually put a Santa hat or a big bow on top. 

Our Festivus Pole that Dan made for the boys.

 

Santa hat atop the Festivus Pole.

I brought a bottle of the Chai home and made Dan and me each a cup of Festivus Chai.  It's quite good.  The contents are filtered water, cane juice, black tea, honey, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, allspice, black pepper, nutmeg, cocoa and vanilla.  extract. It's made by Third Street Chai in Boulder, Colorado and is available only at Whole Foods (it's certified organic) and only during the Christmas holidays.  The flavors that are most distinct to me are the cocoa and the nutmeg, both of which I like very much.  

Mix equal parts Festivus Chai concentrate and milk and heat.

A nice hot cup of Festivus Chai.

I think I will serve Festivus Chai this year at our Christmas Eve gathering for those that would like a hot beverage.  

For those not familiar with this episode of Seinfeld check out this video from You Tube.

HOTEL NACIONAL DE CUBA

The National Hotel of Cuba.

I know just where I'm going to stay, if only for one night, when I next go to Cuba: The National Hotel.  Kathy entertained the group of Wolftrekers with an afternoon drink at this hotel, and oh it is so lovely.  This was one of my favorite spots on our trip.

The Lobby.

The lobby is majestic.  And I liked the Hall of Fame Bar with the photos of all the celebrities that have stayed or visited the hotel.

Gary Cooper stayed here.

Stan Musial stayed here.

Here's Patrick with a statue of Nat King Cole one of my very favorite singers of all time.  He was very popular when I was in college.

Nat King Cole stayed here and performed here.

This prompts me to share a video from You Tube of Cole singing Unforgettable which describes how I feel about this hotel.

There was a juke box where one could play their favorite records.

Art Deco Juke Box.

We enjoyed drinks out on the terrace overlooking the beautiful gardens.

This photo of Hotel Nacional de Cuba is courtesy of TripAdvisor

My strawberry daiquiri.

Yes indeed, on my next trip I'm going to stay here.  

Homemade Pizza for Two

A homemade pizza for two.

I have discovered these wonderful little pizza crusts at Whole Foods that are the perfect size for Dan and me to share.  So I make a lot of pizza using these.  I just brush with a little olive oil and add whatever toppings I may have on hand and within 20 minutes lunch is ready.

This crust is made with corn meal and wheat flour and is one of the best pizza crusts I have ever eaten.  It stay so "crusty" after baking.

Corn Meal pizza crusts.

It's easy to take leftovers and with this crust one can prepare a lunch that is nutritious  very quickly.

Brush with olive oil.

Brush with olive oil.

Add tomato sauce.

Add tomato sauce and lots of fresh ground pepper.

Saute veggies.

Add onions, red peppers, and mushrooms that have been sauteed. 

Top with veggies and baked chicken left overs.

Add leftover baked chicken.

Add cheese and garnish with broccoli florets.

Top with mozzarella cheese and bits of broccoli florets.
Bake in 425 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Out of the oven.

Ready to eat.  Enjoy!!!

With a side salad, this makes a quick and delicious lunch.  Dan and I had this for lunch today. 

Check out the website for the makers of this pizza crust:Vicolo Pizza

Macy Cakes

Virginia's Birthday Cake with a "cat" theme.

I first met Macy when she bought a bookcase we had listed on Craig's list.  I didn't know until we became FB friends that she was a cake maker extraordinaire. It was then I saw posts of her beautiful cakes, and recently I had her make a birthday cake for our friend Virginia.  The cake was beautiful and delicious.

Moist and absolutely delicious.

Here are some of her creations:

A 50th wedding anniversary cake.

A beautiful wedding cake.

A Blessing of the Animals Cake at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

A House Divided Groom's Cake.

A Baby Shower Cake.

A Chemistry Themed Birthday Cake.

I was so impressed with this chemistry themed cake for a youngster's 7th birthday.  Glad to see a young boy interested in chemistry at that age.  And I love the H2O in Thomas' name.


You can check out more of her creations at her blog:  Macy Cakes

You can bet the next time I need a special cake, I will call Macy.