comfort food

For many people I know, and I won't name you all here, the concept of comfort food is a pig-out session with some bag of crisps or cold pasta leftovers. While I've been there with the crisps/chips and leftover pasta, for me, the comfort is in the making.

While cookies won't always be the comfort food of choice, it seemed only too right to share this with the blogosphere tonight. These were one of those recipes that just appeared in my youth. Mom probably got them from her mother, a girlfriend, or the newspaper. Regardless, these entered the Light household decades ago and have never left.

Coming soon to a convection oven in Cheshunt, I present the humble...

Oatmeal Macaroons

Preheat oven to 350F/175C
Makes 2 dozen

1 c oatmeal
1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1/2 c plus 2 T sugar
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c flour
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 c nutmeats (optional) OR
1/2 c chocolate chips OR
1/2 c raisins

Melt butter and add oatmeal
Brown lightly, stirring constantly
Remove from stove and allow to cool
Add sugar, salt, flour and baking powder
Add slightly beaten egg, vanilla and nuts/chips/raisins if using
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets
Bake 10-12 minutes
Allow to cool slightly on sheets, but remove to wire rack while still warm to complete cooling.