quiet monday eve
March 18th, 2007 @ 11:06 pm | domestic, food | Post a CommentAndrew and I recently decided to turn the television off one full night each week. It may seem crazy that we have to enact an actual household rule for this, given that we are intelligent, well-rounded folks and all, but it seems like the TV is a constant companion in our little apartment. The TV joins us for meals, for naps, for Sunday Washington Post reading, and just about everything else. And that’s just when we’re not actively watching the damn thing. Don’t forget the 2,639 crappy shows I’m addicted to.
I’d say we’ve had about five no-TV night now. On these nights, we read and cook and clean, things we would probably do anyway. Yet it seems totally different. It’s almost joyous to me because the only background noise is our relaxing iPod playlist. I’ve also found that on no-TV nights we go to bed way earlier, which I’m always so thankful for the next morning.
Tonight after I finished my cooking, cleaning, and paper-reading, I decided to try out a new recipe I’ve been meaning to try for months now: Soft Ginger Cookies. They are hardly seasonal (at least not for this season), but I’m not one to turn down white shoes after labor day or rich, savory treats in the springtime.
These cookies are way better than the gingersnaps I made around the holidays, mostly because they are soft and chewy instead of thin and crispy. They have just the right amound of sweet and spice. I consider it a bonus that the dough tastes pretty gross, which yields more cookies that actually get baked, as opposed to my favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that all seem to get eaten raw. (Recipe after the jump.)
Large Soft Ginger Cookies
This recipe is from “Vegetarian Classics: 300 Essential Recipes for Every Course and Every Meal” by Jeanne Lemlin.
Makes 18-20 Large (3 1/2 inch) cookies.
2 C unbleached flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 T ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
12 T (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, very soft, plus extra for greasing
1 C firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 C unsulfured molasses (such as Grandma’s)
1/4 C sugar (approximately) for rolling
1. In a medium-size bowl throughly combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and molasses, and beat until well blended. Add the dry ingredients and beat just until combined. (I use my hands at this point to knead the dough a few times and get it evenly moistened.) Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. (Note: I skipped the chilling and they seemed just fine.)
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Make sure the oven rack is in the center of the oven. Lightly butter a baking sheet (or use a Silpat like me - love those things!). Place about 1/4 cup sugar on a small plate.
4. Gather some dough and roll into a ball about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll it in the sugar to completely coat it. Continue with more dough, placing the balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. You will be able to fit about 9 balls on a sheet.
5. Bake 15-17 (or less, 13 was perfect for this under-baker) minutes, or until cracked on top and golden on the edges. Wait 2 minutes before removing the cookies from the sheet. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store the cookies in zippered freezer bags.
Enjoy!
YUM!
written by E :)
March 19th, 2007 @ 1:20 am
I’m with E - they look SO good, especially since I’m being good and am not eating badly.
written by alyndabear
March 19th, 2007 @ 1:37 am
mmm..i’m going to have to try that. those look delicious!
written by cady
March 19th, 2007 @ 7:47 am
Yay for quiet nights! Isn’t it weird how taking out the TV makes such a difference? I always feel like I’m getting back to nature or something, as though my couch and heat are natural.
And also - I want a Silpat right now.
written by RA
March 19th, 2007 @ 9:05 am
And less time spent watching TV means you have time to make COOKIES! Score!
written by Zandria
March 19th, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Those cookies look fantastic! I think the one night a week of no TV is a great idea.
written by -R-
March 19th, 2007 @ 9:21 am
I also agree fully on the no TV idea. I have never been one to keep the TV on as background noise - until I got married. My husband is used to having it on, ALL THE TIME. I really have enjoyed melding our ways and LOVE the evenings where we’re in the kitchen together with music or laying on the couches reading. Ahhhh
Also, keep posting recipes! I’m such a crappy cook I pretty much am scared away from any and all cooking sites/shows/books, but if YOU post it, I’ll try it
written by elise
March 19th, 2007 @ 10:11 am
I love soft ginger cookies so much… I need to try these! Delicious. When AS and I cook brunch and hang out on Saturdays(something that doesn’t happen enough lately), we always listen to NPR’s Saturday lineup–Wait, Wait; Car Talk; This American Life; Prairie Home Companion.
I suppose it’s still a media-onslaught, but for some reason it’s much more calming.
written by Laurel
March 19th, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Mmm…those look really good! I think I may have to try making them…although I’m not the best ‘baker’ in the world. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
I noticed your silpat mat(?) under the cookies. Does it make the cookies taste better? I’ve never used one before (I’m not even sure where to buy them), but have seen them on Martha Stewart…would you recommend them? I’m all for anything that might make my baking easier & tastier!
In my own defense…I am a great cook!
written by Jenni
March 19th, 2007 @ 11:52 am
ooh those look yummy!
I’ve been thinking about instituting ‘No TV Night’ as well… but I’m not sure Dear Husband will take to well to that. Especially considering I get to sit at home and watch whatever while I work, and he’s stuck in his little cubicle all day. But sometimes I feel like it’s more just a habit than anything, turning on the tv rather than actually, I don’t know… TALKING? heh
written by Jen
March 19th, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
those look simply heavenly!
written by bloggadocio
March 19th, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
By the way, what is a Silpat?
written by alyndabear
March 19th, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Those cookies look divine. Hooray for not being confined by seasonal boundaries. Now, how can we get Starbucks to offer the pumpkin spice coffee year round?
Oh, and I have a question for you: if there is one thing I should see in New Orleans, what would you suggest? I have never been and I know nothing except it’s the home of Mardi Gras. I am going for a work trip this weekend and I’d love to see SOMETHING besides the inside of a conference room! Let me know if you have any suggestions
PS- you’re my hero for instituting a no-tv night. I’ve been meaning to do that for a long time… but I can’t. I’m weak. Tivo calls my name.
written by Jennifer
March 19th, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
I don’t know if I could make it through a no-TV night. The worst ever would be a no-Internet night. I might just die.
written by angela
March 19th, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Mmm those cookies look yummy. You’re taking after your mother! We had no TV all week at our new house and it was mostly great! Except that I didn’t know about the pet food recall and I kinda freaked cause I thought our kitties food was on the list. But it’s not. Phew!
written by alison
March 19th, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
My mom has 2 silpats and they are awesome! I can’t waitto get some of my own!
written by B
March 19th, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
Not much of a baker, myself, but those look delicious - ginger cookies (esp w. a bit of chocolate and crystalized ginger) are my favorite. The no-tv night sounds heavenly to me…am 100% certain it would not go over well, no, at all, here. Le siigh.
Am so sad you won’t be moving out here, but good luck to Andrew. You guys are getting things off to a good start at being married.
written by Meepers
March 20th, 2007 @ 12:41 am
Damn those look good, one order to go.
Cheers
written by Nocturnal
March 20th, 2007 @ 3:59 am
Firstly - I LOVE these cookies! I, a domestically disabled female, tried them last night with incredible success! Next up: creme brulee….. ha! Who am I kidding, I’m only really good at box brownies and pop-tarts!
Secondly - I didn’t ever grow up with TV, we lived too close to major mountains to get any channels, and my parents wouldn’t actually BUY a cable package… and at this point in my life (not so near the mountains, and with a cable package) I rarely watch TV, maybe an hour a week. It makes my brain hurt most of the time. (Yes, I realize I am a rare type of American young-adult, one with completely apathetic feelings towards the Tube.) Kudos to you on your free-of-TV evenings!
written by heidikins
March 20th, 2007 @ 10:49 am
Those cookies look awesome.
I’m thinking about the no TV night too.
But I watch so much crap that which night should I pick??
written by Julie
March 20th, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
What a good idea. I’m looking forward to more posts about your non-tv watching evenings.
And the cookies look yummy!
written by Isabel
March 20th, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Good for you for turning off the TV. Although I have to say I admire that you find something to watch on it…I only watch the news occasionally and American Idol or maybe a movie. Maybe you just like the background babble, like having a chattering parrot or something.
written by emma
March 20th, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Cookies look GREAT. I printed the recipe and want to try them now! YUM (so much for my Spring diet).
My husband and I turned off the TV permanently about 2 years ago. We download the occasional show (for fear of being total social outcasts and because there are SOME good things on TV). We buy a fair amount of box sets too. I do miss TV on the weekend though….and I think your “no tv for 5 days” would be the perfect balance, for me, anyway.
However, at the risk of sounding kinda like a jackass…..I really do feel that my life has become richer and fuller without regular TV. I actually WORK on my hobbies, call my friends more regularly, write letters, etc….all sorts of things that I totally never got around to doing when the tv was plugged in.
written by wn
March 21st, 2007 @ 8:50 am