4.07.2011

chocolate chip goodness


Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chickpeas

Prep: 20 minutes, Total: 31-33 minutes, Makes 2 dozen cookies

This recipe is from Jessica Seinfeld's much talked about book, "Deceptively Delicious." These are so easy and fast to make, but watch out for flying chickpeas! If using a standing mixer, partially cover the bowl with a dish towel to keep the chickpeas from flying out.

Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
3/4 cup trans fat free soft tub margarine spread (I use butter)
2 large egg whites
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 (15 ounces) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (I put them in a food processor to grind them)
2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 1 & 1/2 cup chocolate chips and half a cup cocoa)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar and margarine with a wooden spoon or on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla, then the chickpeas and chocolate chips. Add the flour, oats, baking soda and salt, and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.

3. Drop the dough by the tablespoonful onto the baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Press gently with a fork to flatten. Bake until the cookies are golden brown and just set, 11 to 13 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a rack to cool.

4. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

hold onto peace


when we decided to start our family, we decided that it would be a time of peace for us. through all of the challenges of pregnancy and parenting, we have spoken & guarded peace in our home as one of our prized possessions. before we had davith, steve bought me a little wooden dove which has now sat on the window ledge of the nursery for all of our kids as a reminder that this season of having kids would be one of peace.
now pregnant with our fourth we are facing some challenges we hadn't had to face with any of our others. scary challenges. don't get me wrong, we are in faith but our feelings at times don't line up with what we know to be true. there is nothing wrong with being terrified and angry and when we are honest with the Lord it can be a wonderful strength. We need to give our feelings an appropriate outlet where we can be totally honest but then separate them from what we know. we know God is a good God, He is our Hope, He loves us, He has plans to prosper us not to harm us, He counts every tear & hears every cry, He is a very present comfort & refuge. so although we have times of overwhelming feelings, we trust & focus on what we know. feelings are real but they are also fleeting and fickle. in the end, we have faith not in what God can do for us but in who He is.
God gave me this scripture just before we began to face challenges during this pregnancy and it has preserved me throughout.
isaiah 54:10 " the mountains and hills may be removed, but My kindness shall never leave you, nor shall My covenant of peace with you ever be removed"
the key to having peace is spending time with Peace Himself. i have felt His presence so tangibly, His mighty hand there to hold like no other time in my life. we are facing some real challenges but we are facing them with a real God, the King of Peace.
so fight & hold onto peace while drinking deep from the well of salvation... He is such a good God!