Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

(post, Annie Witkamp)

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Running, I am run-ning (like Forrest Gump says) again after about a three month hiatus. I have been doing other calorie-burning activities but nothing like running on my treadmill. For a while now I have been slowly creeping the weight back up after losing twenty lbs. almost four years ago. Now that I am five lbs. away from my heaviest weight, I thought I should get back on that….although I gained my last five or so from my previous running schedule, which I had read might happen despite doing a strict eating regimen. I fancy working out. I love the way I feel while doing it and after and also, the results I usually see and feel after a while.

Now, onto the not-so healthy leftovers I had for lunch-tandoori chicken and paneer (a salt-less cheese made from milk and an acid like lemon juice, similar to tofu in looks). I was hungry for this Sunday so we ordered from our favorite Indian restaurant in town- Kurry Kabob. We had five meals out of this take-out and it hit the spot. I love tandoori anything which involves the food being cooked in a clay tandoor that is cylinder-shaped. I came across a tandoori tofu recipe that I intend to try soon. Do you know any tofu or paneer recipes that I should try?

I decided to post this recipe by Martha Stewart that I made a while back and loved, not just for the smell that filled the apartment (with all the spices) but because they were cold weather cookies, perfect for dunking in coffee. I recommend these when it’s nippy out or for winter parties and holiday time. I added slightly more molasses so that the cookies weren’t so dry. I also found that they need flattened a bit before baking. No offense, Martha! She would probably just verbally bash me by claiming I was incompetent in the kitchen as she does with some of her guests. That makes me laugh sometimes but mostly, ticks me off. Why have guests at all? Anyway, I also like some of the recipes on her show and so here’s a link for a chocolate oatmeal cherry cookie recipe from Torie Hallock’s appearance on her show.

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies
Makes 24

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
¼ tsp ground clove
½ tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 ½ stick butter, unsalted and softened
1 large egg
½ cup molasses
½ cup sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger and salt. Place ½ cup sugar on plate for rolling.

With a mixer, beat butter and cup of sugar until combined and then, add egg and molasses until combined. Reduce speed to low and then, add dry ingredients until dough forms. Roll into dough balls and roll in sugar. Arrange balls on baking sheet about 3 inches apart and flatten slightly. Bake until golden brown 10-15 minutes. Cool for a few minutes and place on wire racks. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy the smell in your place- it could bring back childhood memories and/or remind you of holidays.