Monday, October 28, 2013

A Cookie Primer

Things that belong in cookies:
sugar, white/brown/confectioner's
eggs
flour
oil
chocolate in any form
peanut butter
raisins or craisins
science things that make them cookie-like (baking soda, baking powder, etc)

Things that do not belong in cookies:
chickpeas
beans
zucchini
carrots

If you are having trouble remembering the Dos and Don'ts of cookie baking, it may be helpful to think of it this way: "Don't be a rookie - no veggies in a cookie." Or (now this one isn't going to rhyme, so don't get your hopes up), "If I can put it in my soup, I shouldn't put it in my cookie dough." I mean, would you make chicken cookies? Minestrone cookies? Of course not. So stop, I beg you, just don't do it.

Another helpful way to remember is to think of when you can eat these things. For example, vegetables and legumes belong in the meal, like in an appetizer, entree or side dish. Cookies, on the other hand, belong in your hand at any time of day or night. Mmmmmm.

There have been lots of recipes going around on Facebook promising delicious cookies using very non-delicious ingredients. Do not be duped. I promise you that that cookies made with mashed chickpeas will taste like ... well, exactly as a cookie made out of chickpeas should taste. What were you expecting, fool???

You know, I'm not anti-vegetable at all. It's just that it's so tiring having to worry all the time about "being healthy" and "things that are good for you" and "how can I sneak some lentils and broccoli into this dessert?" Can't we, once in a while, make delicious food (cookies come to mind, for example) and eat it just because it tastes good???

RT if you believe in the Pure Cookie Movement.

11 comments:

Dvora said...

Truly a work of genius and miraculous insight, this post.

Mrs. S. said...

"If I can put it in my soup, I shouldn't put it in my cookie dough."
Someone needs to put this to music...

Gila Rose said...

Dvora - when someone asks you for a bean cookie platter, just send them my way.

Alissa said...

While I bow to your superior knowledge of The Way of The Cookie, I must beg to disagree. I have made cookies with zucchini, and they were DEE-vine! Everyone raved about them, and when I explained what was in them, I could see eyes glaze over as the crowd frantically tried to reconcile "Yeeech!" with "Yummmm!" Yum won.

Gila Rose said...

Alissa - I'm afraid I'm going to need a sample.

LeahGG said...

I can see zucchini - for the same reason that pumpkin can work.
Applesauce is in the maybe category, but really cookies aren't meant to be healthy...
You forgot to mention various nuts, though... The only thing better than chocolate chip cookies is chocolate chip cookies with pecans!

MOMZWIFEOFDADZ said...

If something goes in my soup
When it comes to my cookies it gets the boot

no need to thank me.
Momz

Gila Rose said...

Leah - Yes! Nuts! I love nuts in cookies. You are completely correct.

Momz - maybe you meant, "It gets the boop?"

Eliana said...

Having once made black bean cookies that tasted much like you predicted, I love your post. That being said my 5 year old did seem to like mushed up black beans. Next time I'm tempted, I will sing your new ditty about soup and cookie dough to remind myself not to even try.

Kathleen said...

Yes, I definitely concur.

tzivia in aliyahland said...

Truly, wisdom for the ages... :-)