Sunday, July 22, 2012

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

My gal pal and one of my favorite foodie's and Chef, Frankie Poe Harvey from The Elegant Gourmet, has asked me to be featured on her incredible blog. I am thrilled and honored that she has asked little ol' me. Not only is Frankie a talented and incredible Chef and TV celebrity, but she has a huge heart. When I was suffering from terrible migraines, Frankie would send me sweet supportive notes and then she sent me an incredible care package with grits, I was so touched by my dear friend, nothing says, " I hope you feel better" better than food. I have been blogging for a little over 11 months. I really can't believe that a year has flown by. I have been cooking and baking since I could reach the kitchen counter, maybe earlier helping my Mom, Grandma's and Great Grandma's in the kitchen. My family is from the south and food and cooking is a really big deal. We would talk about what we were going to make and everyone would have a say in the matter and what would go with each dish and who was coming for dinner. It was like that every day. Everyone had their specialty. I had my vegetarian phase and everyone went along with it as I created dishes and used all of my family members as guinea pigs, some delicious, some tasted like wood chips, but no one ever complained, every one was so supportive of every one's creations. I was so inspired one day when I read a fellow blogger describing her pain because of a tragic event that had occurred in her life, her husband had a heart attack at a very young age. I was heart broken reading her post. I cried and cried. She described how her husband just loved Peanut Butter Pie. Suddenly, hundreds of fellow bloggers started sending photos and notes of their rendition of Peanut Butter Pies for Mikey with a sweet note and story. I get chocked up even now thinking about it. I wanted to be a part of this amazing group of food bloggers. I was welcomed with love and support unlike anything I had ever seen before. I was overwhelmed. I was blogging about something that I absolutely love and I was supported by thousands. I never would have met Frankie Poe Harvey had it not been for my food blog. I love simple and delicious home made food with no fuss. I really have a difficult time saying no to sweets and potatoes, I really may have to go to Potatoes Anonymous. My game day staple would be anything chicken or pasta. Nothing says love like a gorgeous bowl of pasta or pie or chocolate chip cookies. I do have one kitchen quirk, my kitchen must be clean before I can bake or cook. I just can't concentrate in a messy kitchen. I love growing Basil, Oregano, Tarragon and Mint and Tomatoes. I can not grow a sunflower to save my life, I grow hundreds of flowers in my garden, but this one stumps me, WHY?? I can't live without my Kitchen Aid, I am in love with it, Especially when Baking!! Yes, I have used my Kitchen Aid for one of my favorite recipes: The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie.This really is the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie. It is so important to use very good quality chocolate chips. I have been making chocolate chip cookies for over 40 years, now I understand why kids are so crazy about cookie dough ice cream, one taste of this cookie dough and I could hear angels singing. Taking a bite into a warm chocolate chip cookie is the ultimate dessert for me, warm chocolate chips, vanilla, pecans and brown sugar perfection! I made a double batch to bring to Cape Cod for eight delightful Girl Scouts, let me tell you, these cookies were a smashing hit!!
In a large mixing bowl, cream sugars and butter.
Keep mixing on medium speed until creamy.
Add your best Vanilla, I love Penzey's Spices Pure Vanilla Extract Double- Strength.
Add 2 large eggs to creamed sugars and butter.
Beat at low speed until eggs are incorporated.
This looks perfect.
Cookie dough looks firm but creamy.
In a separate bowl,sift flour with baking soda and salt, gradually blend dry mixture into creamed mixture.
Best cookie dough, what a dream!
So happy that I have made 4 dozen, these babies go quick when there are ten kids!!
Add a good quality chocolate such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips!
Gently mix in chocolate chips.
 
I added chopped pecans, why? Because I love pecans in chocolate chip cookies!
This cookie dough would be perfect in ice cream too!!
Smile for the camera you hunk of burning love cookie dough, come to Mama!!
Drop by tablespoon on un-greased cookie sheet.
I didn't photograph it here, but I used a Silpat, makes a light golden brown cookie, you won't have to worry about burning edges.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yield: 
4 dozen cookies
Ingredients
11 1/2 ounces Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups unsifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

Directions:

Heat oven to 375ºF.
Stir flour with baking soda and salt; set aside. In large mixing bowl, beat butter with sugar and brown sugar at medium speed until creamy and lightened in color. Add eggs and vanilla, one at a time. Mix on low speed until incorporated. Gradually blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon onto un-greased cookie sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
Note: The 11 1/2 ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate Chips can be substituted with any variety of chip flavor (i.e.- Milk Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, etc.)  Nettie This post has been linked up to these Fabulous Blogs! ...

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14 comments:

Brittany said...

YUM! Those look amazing!!! And the pecans look like the perfect touch.

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Thank you Brittany, these really are The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies!! I am in love with pecans!! Nettie

Beverley said...

Nettie this the best. Love the blog and pictures. Xoxo

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Thank you Beverley! They are super yummy cookies! Nettie

Lois Christensen said...

I am now in the mood for chocolate chip cookies! :)

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Hi Lois @Walking On Sunshine! Give them a try and let me know what you think,they are my favorite! Nettie

Unknown said...

Wishing I was at home right now... So I could bake up a batch of Best Chocolate Chip Cookies...instead of at work... Love your story. I was worried about blogging about food but have had such great support... Love it! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.. Remember to come back and vote today
http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com

Ericka Breedlove said...

Those cookies look gooey and delicious! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!

Adrienne said...

Love...Love your Blog! We participated in the Great Cookie Swap...I put you on My Three Blogs I Love! http://site.foodfamilyandvino.com/#

Adrienne said...

Love Love your Blog! We participated in the Great Cookie Swap...I sent you the Biscotti! I listed you on my Three Blogs I Love! http://site.foodfamilyandvino.com/#

Adrienne said...

http://site.foodfamilyandvino.com/#

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Dear Marlys Folly! Thank you for stopping by at MOLC!Never have to worry about blogging about food, we will always be interested!Hope you get a chance to try The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie! Nettie

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Dear Erica,

Thank you for stopping by! Love sharing on Foodie Friends Friday! Cheers Nettie

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Dear Adrienne,

Oh how I wish I had some of your amazing biscotti now! Thank you for listing me on the 3 Blogs you love! So happy that you stopped by MOLC, can't wait for the next cookie swap! Nettie