Guest Blogger Kevin Bates: Grandmother’s Toasteroons
- At May 6, 2009
- By Molly Chester
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My awesome friend & fellow kitchen experimenter, Kevin, sent me an email a few days back explaining some updates he had made to a favorite family recipe of his. I was so excited about what he did that I asked him if he would add a story so that I could post it into a blog. My heart filled up when I read the blog below.
Introducing the very first Guest Blogger on Organic Spark, my friend Kevin…
Grandmother’s Toasteroons – “Mollified“
Well, it goes without saying that I love me some Molly. But I’ll say it anyway: I love Molly. My love for Molly was perhaps rooted in 8th grade Target class with Ms. Grayson, but blossomed into so much more in high school as our lives became so entwined that our parents jokingly considered installing an intercom between our bedrooms. Had chat and texting technology come along just a few years sooner, we would have been LOLing L8 N2 the night… like any good BFFs.
I couldn’t begin to count all the meals I’ve shared with Molly throughout our lives thus far, but she has always challenged me to expand my meat and potatoes sort of upbringing and, most importantly, she has never let me down. Though our friendship now spans the country coast to coast, I’m so grateful that Molly has this blog so that I can continue to evolve my eating habits with her guidance to help make me a better, healthier me.
So grandmothers are notorious for making the best cookies, and I’m sure there are many out there to challenge me when I tell you that my grandmother’s were the best. Seeing as how I’m writing the blog today, and therefore have the floor, who are you to argue with me. Of course, I am arming myself now with a delicious cookie to tempt you into agreement.
While catching up last week with my cousin Amy, Grandmother’s unbelievably yummy cookies came up in conversation, of course. Amy, being the mother of two in suburban Ohio had already commandeered the recipe to add to her holiday baking arsenal and gladly forwarded it to me to give a try.
Of course, knowing Molly through the wisdom that she shares with us all here, you will understand why I had to look at the recipe with an eye for healthy improvements. While I know you shouldn’t mess with perfection, if selling myself and others on the nutritional virtues bestowed upon a cookies means I can eat one more, than why not give it a try.
So, without further adieu, here is what my cousin Amy sent me:
Mix together:
1 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 cups flour (plain)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
In separate bowl mix:
2 cups raw oatmeal
2 cups cornflakes
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine bowls and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes in 325 degree oven. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. Freezes well.
And here’s how I “Mollified” it (you heard it here first folks):
– I used real organic unsalted butter instead of margarine.
– I substituted sucanat and sucanat with honey instead of brown and white sugar.
– I used organic whole wheat flour instead of plain white. (Will try milling my own next time.)
– I found “flax flakes” in the healthy food section to use instead of corn flakes. (Which were delicious and I will totally eat again on their own – who knew?)
– I also used rolled oats and unsweetened coconut (because that’s what I had), and added an extra half cup of walnuts (because I love walnuts.)
And they came out so yummy.
Thanks Grandmother for always having cookies! Thanks cousin Amy for ensuring some baking traditions never change! And a big thanks to Molly for sharing her knowledge, passion and friendship with us all!
Note from Molly – Right back at you Kevin! Your cookies look AMAZING! I love you too, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing this recipe. Do they make cross-country intercoms by the way? See you soon…
Anonymous
SWEET! Kevin rocks!! I like the guest blogger, good idea Molly. and I second Kevin’s first line of his blog! ~thea
Helene
Great blog. I found you thru Cooking Light BB. I will be following your updates.
Molly Chester
Thanks THEA! You da best.
And Helene – Thanks so much for coming by! I really appreciate you following. I like to get the posts up each Wednesday. So, definitely check back!