Saturday, March 5, 2011

Hippie Chippies

Those of you who attended Malice Domestic last spring probably remember me as "the lady in the boot." I had a tendon injury, and the boot was one of many attempts to fix it. Unfortunately, neither the boot nor anything that followed actually worked. So last week I learned that I have to have surgery (again), and I need to do it next week (to coincide with my spring break).

This means three things: (1) If you see me at Malice this spring, I will once again be in the boot. What a fantastic tradition! (2) I'm frantically trying to get my ducks in a row before I go under the knife, so I don't have any pictures of my food. And (3) I'm craving comfort food like you wouldn't believe.

Here's the thing about me and "comfort food": My mama did not raise me on health food. No sir. I ate sugary cereal, processed meats, and plenty of delivery pizza. And, alas, my tastes have not changed. I still dig salty, sweet, and fatty, especially when I'm feeling blue or anxious.

Now, though, I'm aware of what I ought to be putting in my body. My brain understands that whole grains and organic veg will allow me to live a longer, happier, healthier life.

But, um, French fries? Chocolate? No matter what my brain tells me, my tummy and my taste buds want deliciousness. I have become this strange hybrid of junk food junkie and hippie, eating vegan vegie burgers on whole wheat buns with a side of cheese doodles.

In honor of my increased awareness (and increased cholesterol), I've been working for some time at slimming down some of my favorite dishes, making them a smidge more hearty healthy (and waist-friendly). This interpretation of my absolute favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe delivers a hearty snack, satisfying and chocolatey but not too sweet or oily. They're certainly not low fat . . . oh, no. But ground oats and whole wheat flour add significant fiber and mitigate my guilt a bit. Yet they're every bit as tasty as their white-flour cousins . . . and right about now, I could down a dozen of them!

Hippie Chippies

2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 3/4 c. white whole wheat flour*
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter (room temperature)
1 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Finely grind the oats in a food processor or blender. Pulse in flour, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a mixer (or a large mixing bowl), cream butter and sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Slowly mix in dry ingredients and then the chips.

Working with 2 Tbs. of dough at a time, form balls and flatten slightly. Place on ungreased cookie sheet (ideally, lined with a silpat or parchment paper). Bake about 12 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes on the pan and then remove to rack and cool completely.

* White whole wheat flour is whole wheat flour made with white wheat (instead of the more common red wheat). White whole wheat flour has a milder, less nutty taste. It behaves like whole wheat flour, though, so keep this in mind if you use it for baking things like bread.

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Wendy writes the Mysteries a la Mode. Visit her on the web. Better yet, come befriend her on Facebook and keep her company while she convalesces after surgery!

11 comments:

  1. OOOOOH, tendon sweet tendon. I was a "boot mama" too, and I feel for ya. Good luck with 2nd surgery and hope it works this time.

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  2. What a great recipe, Wendy! I love the way you've made it healthier.

    I'm so sorry you're going to have surgery again...and over spring break! Bleh. If I were closer, I'd bring you a casserole!

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  3. Thanks for this recipe, Wendy. I am also trying to slim down recipes (and waistline!) We love whole wheat taste and oats. Good stuff!

    I hope the surgery goes flawlessly this time. What a drag for you. See you at Malice!

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  4. I'm so sorry about your surgery, Wendy. That boot looks horribly uncomfortable. All things considered, I think you deserve comfort food and lots of it!

    It's interesting that you and Julie posted about trying to eat healthier. It's a huge trend, isn't it? We're all trying, but, gee, the stuff that's bad for us just tastes so good! This is a lovely way to sneak some wholesome whole wheat into yummy cookies. Love it!

    ~ Krista

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  5. Wendy, how often will you hear, "Give her the boot!" LOL Poor thing, but I've been in a boot and the relief afterwards is what is important.

    What fun to offer a "healthy" cookie recipe.

    ~Avery AveryAames.com
    @AveryAames

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  6. I always thought chocolate anything was a healthy food. And, I'll continue to believe that. Especially with yummy recipes like this one. Thanks!

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  7. "Healthy" might be a stretch. But healthier. :)

    Thanks for the warm wishes.

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  8. Sorry about your surgery, but I'm looking forward to meeting you in person, Wendy, boot and all. As I read through your recipe I thought -- not too bad healthy-wise, but sure sounds fabulous taste-wise! I have a feeling these are addictive.

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  9. Wendy,
    My heart goes out to you...I have had 2 neck/back surgeries over the past years and it is no fun being in stuck in a boot, collar, wrap of any sort!! This recipe looks terrific. I'm going to try it with butterscotch chips as I'm not a big chocolate fan...actually maybe I will make the chocolate ones then I won't be tempted to eat any ;-)
    Blessings and prayers for a quick recovery!
    Nanc

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  10. Wonderful recipe, Wendy, you had me laughing over the Hippie Chippies recipe title. I often process my rolled oats into my own oat flour, so I'm already on board with you, and I'll have fun making this healthier version of an old fave. On the "boot heals" front - I hope it's a short confinement, and the surgery goes well. You're an amazing trooper going to Malice, given the recovery. Cheers to you and sending positive, healing thoughts your way. :)

    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  11. Thanks, all ... and, Nanc, I've made this recipe with peanut butter chips, too. Actually half pb and half chocolate. Butterscotch would be delicious. Or dried fruit (raising, apples, apricots).

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