White Chocolate Chip Cookies

My middle son Elijah can't stand anything chocolate.  He has refused to eat chocolate since he was a baby - so much so that when given chocolate milk he would spit it out, and then look at you as if you've committed a major crime.  I'm not sure where he gets this from - everyone else in the family LOVES chocolate.  Maybe he was switched at birth?  Just kidding.  Since our other sons were out for the weekend I decided to make Elijah one of his favorite cookies - white chocolate chip.  He loves these - and ate almost ALL of them.  I use the basic Toll House recipe and substitute the brown chips for white.

I've also been working on my food photography.  I find the art of food photography fascinating.  I didn't realize how much prep work goes into getting that perfect shot.  I have found that my pictures come out looking the best with natural sunlight.  I had to take about 16 shots before I got the two pictured below.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 sticks butter, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 bag fine quality white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture
6. Stir in white chocolate chips
7. Drop by rounded tablespoonful onto ungreased baking sheet
8. Bake 9-11 min, or until golden brown
9. Cool on baking sheets for at least 2 min before transferring them to cooling rack
10. Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies

Jasmine Delights

Roger and I were at the oriental supermarket stocking up on our usual items (Thai soy sauce, fish sauce, etc.).  We happened to stumble upon some really exotic flavorings and extracts.  Lined up neatly on the top shelf  were little glass bottles of jasmine, pandan, coconut, etc.  I thought to myself - what could I do with jasmine?  Many things came to mind - cookies, jasmine butter cream frosting, cake, etc.  I decided on cookies.  Jasmine, almond, and white chocolate chips.  The kitchen smelled like a mix of flowers and vanilla while they were baking - it was interesting, unique and comforting all at the same time.  Roger just inhaled one with his morning coffee.  It's a winner!

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp jasmine extract (can be found at your local oriental supermarket)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 bag fine quality white chocolate chips

1 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy
3. Add vanilla and jasmine extracts and eggs (one at a time), beat well
4. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt - 1 cup at a time
5. Stir in chips and almonds
6. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet
7. Bake 10-12 minutes