Photo of blues legend B.B. King by Kevin Westerberg.
This afternoon I was listening to B.B. King and Eric Clapton's wonderful CD Riding with the King, while yet again, baking cookies! That's twice in two weeks. Note to self: Must choose a less-fattening way to diffuse anxiety.
Listening to their Worried World Blues made me wish I had a piano to play the blues - even though I can't imagine where it would fit. The balcony? And I've had a relatively news-free day (for me, anyway), meaning I've only looked at newspapers two or three times and BBC television news once.
In any event, if you like chocolate, you'll like this treat from Allysa Torey's More from Magnolia book of yummy recipes. Perhaps you've sampled the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery in New York? Enough said!
Chocolate chocolate chip drop cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
One-half teaspoon baking powder
One-fourth teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
5 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling over cookies)
1 large egg at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
One-half cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream better, shortening and sugar until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Sprinkle lightly with the sugar. Place the cookie sheets in the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.*
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
*Skipping this step will result in one giant flat cookie covering the baking sheet!
Love all your new posts, but had to chime in about my man. Can't be from South Louisiana and not like BB. Sweet.
Posted by: Willie | 09 August 2006 at 15:26
Yum! Thanks for the recipe.
I love B.B. Kings; there's nothing like the blues when you're feeling a bit down. I think it's good to take a newsbreak when things get a bit too much - esp. if I'm dealing with a personal problem at the same time as worrisome world events are going on - it simply puts me on overload. I can only worry about so many things at once! Enjoy those cookies, they sound delicious.
Posted by: tinker | 09 August 2006 at 09:59
If you can't fit a piano, you could learn to play the saxophone :)
I won't try the cookies, I find that the flour is different, the shortening is different, and overall it is better to stick to local recipes - I have a great chocolate chip cookie recipe of my own, I made a batch the other day.
Posted by: Catherine | 09 August 2006 at 08:36
Where are you getting those chocolate chips? I have to bring chips back with me from the States or make my own from a big block of chocolate and my handy dandy hammer. In any case, I think I will try your recipe. Want a good brownie recipe?
Posted by: Linda | 09 August 2006 at 08:12
MMMM MMMMM MMMM
Yummy post.
Missed your blog the past couple of days and what a delight when I checked back. Oh & LOVE the Haiku's
from the other day.
Posted by: Gemma | 09 August 2006 at 06:49
Oh yummm.... I can smell
them as I read.... my mouth is watering...yummmm...
Posted by: diana | 09 August 2006 at 04:50
After reading the news, we need all the chocolate and BB King we can get. Now that things have cooled down a bit, I'll have to try the recipe.
Posted by: patry | 09 August 2006 at 03:46
My tummy grew just reading this. Luckily I'm a meat & potato girl and can say no to sweets...woohoo!
Posted by: Tammy | 09 August 2006 at 02:31
And no. My ass will NOT thank you.
;)
Posted by: Amber | 09 August 2006 at 01:08
You evil woman.
;)
Posted by: Amber | 09 August 2006 at 01:07
News-free days and a break from hearing and reading about death and desruction around the globe...I'll eat cookies to that!! Tara I'll try your recipe and sit by my pond
and PIG out...choc. chip my fav.! Who cares if they flatten I'll eat them anyway as long as there is chocolate!
Posted by: naturegirl | 09 August 2006 at 01:06
I dunno, the idea of one big, flat cookie doesn't sound too bad to me...I may try it that way!
Posted by: twitches | 09 August 2006 at 00:50
I've seen BB a couple of times, but never baked at the same time. Maybe he is named afeter 'Baked Beans'
Posted by: Jeremy | 09 August 2006 at 00:07
they say chocolate fixes everything. If only this were true, you could bake a whole lot and send them to war zones. Sometimes, to survive, I just have to stay away from the news. much love always x0x
Posted by: miss*R | 08 August 2006 at 23:43
I never know what to expect when I come here! You've got me thinking BB King, that's for sure. Have put his cds on my To Do list---can't think why I haven't done so before. And chocolate. One of the great comforts on this planet.
Posted by: Laura | 08 August 2006 at 22:57
mmmm...I'll definitely make these...maybe tonight even!
One of my most memorable events when I visited NY a couple of years ago was going to Magnolia Bakery...
Posted by: Willow Grace | 08 August 2006 at 22:35
Sounds yummy! You've got my mouth watering, but luckily for my waistline I've too many other things to do this evening to bake!
Posted by: Kamsin | 08 August 2006 at 21:32
I don't know whether to thank you or blame you for the dozen I will eat.....all...by...my...self!
Posted by: susanlavonne | 08 August 2006 at 21:23