Monday, November 9, 2009

Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies

I watched an episode of Oprah the other day. I know what you are all thinking - a stay at home mum watching Oprah tsk, tsk. However you have to trust me when I say this, it is not a normal occurrence in this household. Usually Zoe and I will listen to an awesome playlist that Mat created for me on our media center. The playlist includes all my crooners, my necessary dose of Michael Jackson, some alternative-country by Mr Ryan Adams, The Royal Crown Revue and lots of easy listening music.

But anyway, I was talking about Oprah. This episode was all about extreme life lengthening. They had this one man on the show who was in his 50s and was on a calorie controlled diet - 1950 calories each and every day, and most of those calories come from raw food. Some professionals believe that he could very well be the first man to live to 150. The first thing that came to my mind was "how could you possibly live for 150 years and not enjoy delicious food?". No cupcakes, no cookies, no cake, no crossaints, no buttery french toast, no bacon and eggs for breakfast, no ice-cream - I think I would rather be dead. So I say no to a calorie controlled diet and instead I will enjoy my oatmeal and raisin cookies with a nice glass of full-cream milk. I hope that you will do the same.


Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies (from Bringing Home the Baking by Quincella C. Geiger)
Makes approx 5 dozen cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 tsp bi-carb soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (I used walnuts)
  1. Preheat oven to 180C.
  2. Beat butter at medium speed until cream. Gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
  3. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture; mix until well blended. Stir in oats, raisins, and nuts.
  4. Measure dough evenly (I used an ice-cream scoop) and place on baking trays lined with baking paper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

slightly off topic..but im glad to see another mj listening baking girl out there! :)
~Val

Justin said...

i've been making cookies like this ever since i was a little kid (with my mom, back then) and I never get tired of them. a true classic.

cookies and cups said...

hahaha! I know, right?! What would be the point of living if you couldn't have a cookie! These oatmeal raisins look delicious!

Ash said...

seriously, he is missing out on all the good!!

Stéphanie said...

Oh ! Yummy !

Paris Pastry said...

I saw that episode!!! I LOVE Oprah and I am proud to say it :D lol.

Anyways, I have been eating more nuts after seeing that episode, because I remember that guy ate lots of them! But yeah... I couldn't live without yeast and flour for sure!

Miss Dot said...

Firstly, I will applaud you for your use of oatmeal. I believe oatmeal is a great cookie-enhancer.

Second, I will second your motion! Hear hear! Who wants to live to 150 without noshing on delightful pecan pie or oatmeal raisin cookies? I'll happily die at 90 having eaten all the goodies I want to. Besides, if you're the only person to live to 150, won't all your friends already be dead...? :-\

Chantelle {fat mum slim} said...

I thought you were going to say that if I ate these I'd love until 150! Darn it. :P

Elissa said...

I totally agree, what is the point of eating like that! And I am with you on the full cream milk, skim just tastes and acts like water! Great cookies too!

Christy said...

Well said Alicia

Christy

Shannon@bake&bloom said...

Hi Alicia. Just discovered your blog & it looks great. Nice photography & good recipes. Nice to see another Aussie food blogger.

Anonymous said...

Val - yay for Michael, nothing like baking to PYT :P

Justin - this was my first ever batch and I am definitely a fan.

cookies and cups - here, here.

Ash - I know - crazy!!

Stephanie - thanks :)

Paris Pastry - yep yeast and flour are a must in this household.

Miss Dot - good point, I think he would be a pretty lonely man at 150.

Chantelle - sorry to disappoint ;)

Elissa - now I have to admit I actually drink skim milk the majority of the time - I was brought up on the stuff!

Christy - thanks :)

Shannon - just visited your blog and added to the Google Reader, the more Aussie food bloggers the better in my books :)

Gabbi said...

I know what you mean Alicia! I greatly admire vegetarians and vegans for their very healthy way of life and I wish I had the conviction to do the same, but I love some foods way too much to even try.

Having said that, I am seriously going to give your oatmeal cookies a go tonight! Yum...xo

Anonymous said...

Gabbi - let me know if you like the cookies :)

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

I definitely believe in occasional indulgence in good but not-so-healthy food. Everything in moderation, as they say. I'm also convinced that you can be on certain restricted diets (like vegetarian, vegan, dairyfree, etc.) and still enjoy a full spectrum of wonderful tastes. Your cookies look great, I love the hearty texture of oats.

Rose said...

haha love your attitude :) i have to agree with you. And the cookies look great!

Rose

Anonymous said...

Xiaolu - definitely moderation is the key.

Rose - glad you agree :)

Patricia Scarpin said...

Alicia, I could not agree with you more, dearie - what's the point of living that long without one of life's greatest pleasures: delicious food? To hell with that. :)

Love these cookies - I'm a sucker for cookies and am always looking for new recipes to try!

Amanda said...

I've seen those crazy people on another news show, I believe. I even debated a raw food diet last month, but it's so expensive and... clearly... I really love food.

Becky Farley said...

I'm a walnut lover too :) Thank you for the recipe! I love these cookies, but I don't think I've ever made them!

A Perfect Peach said...

these are my favorite! I am totally going to try this recipe. thanks for posting!

Anonymous said...

Patricia - Glad you agree :)

Amanda - it is expensive isn't it? I have been trying to eat a lot more fresh produce and our grocery bills have gone through the roof.

Becky - give these a try they are super easy.

A Perfect Peach - let me know how they turn out.

Chantel said...

Oatmeal & rasin cookies - sounds like a pretty good breakfast to me :P haha

There's no way I'd stick to a diet like that...I lust after food too much !!

What Mat does for you each day sounds so sweet! I love MJ too. I want to see This Is It but probably wont at the cinema..