Back in the Kitchen

For the past six weeks, the extent of my kitchen use has been putting milk and apples in the fridge and occasionally popping a frozen Kashi meal in the microwave and putting it in a Gladware container so I could eat it at rehearsal. Now that I have significantly more free time - 24 hours a week to be exact - I thought that it was time to reacquaint myself with some of the more exciting things in my kitchen. Granted, last night  I just grilled some chicken and sauteed some peppers and onions for dinner, but I've really been itching to try a new chocolate chip cookie recipe. While the Manfred family recipe for CCC's is pretty legendary, they are not exactly a guilt-free indulgence. With a stick of butter, some shortening and a cup and a half of sugar, they are the no-holds-barred delicious epitome of what a CCC should be. For my attempt at a healthier variation, I decided to start with the classic CCC recipe from Cooking Light, and with a couple of modifications, I think that I landed on a pretty legit cookie for only about 120 calories.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
modified from Cooking Light Magazine, June 2007

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter (half a stick), softened
1/4 cup of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter baking stick, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.
Add vanilla and egg; beat until creamy. Add flour mixture and chips; beat until blended.

Drop dough by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

I'll try and work on my food photography, but even the Cookie Queen Liza  said that they were delicious. If you make them, let me know what you think! I'm open to suggestions.