Bean Cookies... Yes, That's Right, Bean Cookies

I get emails from Craftster.org and they always contain a wide variety of different projects. One of the most recent contained a link to Supercharged Oatmeal Cookies. The email claimed that these cookies contained a secret ingredient. I LOVE oatmeal cookies so I had to check out the recipe.

Photo (c) Craftster.org

The secret ingredient was Chickpeas... Really? Beans in cookies? I decided that I absolutely had to try this recipe just for the weird factor. I made them with semisweet chocolate chips and I used honey instead of molasses. I also used only the slightest pinch of stevia extract because I have never used it before and wasn't sure I would like the flavor.

Guess what? These cookies are awesome! They are wonderful, moist and chewy. If you like crunchy cookies, these are not for you. They were very sweet and I think I will omit the Stevia completely next time. 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup raw sugar deliver enough sugar. I am really happy I tried this recipe. It is good to try something outside the normal box!

This weekend

The green chili stew was great last week. The pecan pie had a little to much going on. I liked it but Brian didn't. I should skip the cardamom in the crust next time. I also made a Lemon-Lavender pound cake and it was marvelous. I think I am going to experiment more with lavender.

This weekend was a bit on the busy side. Brian was finishing everything for the conference this week and I was busy with spring cleaning. The house looks very good. I am redecorating my kitchen. I bought new appliances. I bought a new red toaster over, microwave and coffee pot. They should arrive in the mail sometime next week.

My Wilton cake decorating class still has not started. I hope it starts soon.

Ahhh! Food!

I went to the thrift store today and found another of the Frugal Gourmet books by Jeff Smith. This one is titled "The Frugal Gourmet Cooks American." I am going to make green chili and pork stew from my new book tonight for dinner. It also has a section for Southern cooking. I think I will make Pecan pie for dessert.

The plants are doing great. I got some more seeds in the mail yesterday. I can't wait to plant them!

Feeling Better!!!

Today I am feeling much better!

The tomatoes and tomatillos are over 3" tall. I will have to thin them soon. I always hate that part. The peppers have finally germinated and are about 1" tall. I tried an experiment this year. I put a heating pad under the little greenhouses to keep them warm. There was a remarkable difference between last year and this year. The tomatoes and tomatillos were sprouted in 3 days and the tomatoes in about 6 days. I had to take the tomatoes off because they were growing too fast =o)

On a happy note...
Tonight I start my Wilton Cake Decorating Course 1 at Michaels. I am so excited! I want to be ready to make the most amazing cake for Alicia's babies shower. Yes, "babies" shower...triplets!!!

On a not so happy note...
I also have to start my spring cleaning today because we are getting company next weekend. (The cleaning is the not so happy part.)

And to be completely random, here is my favorite picture from my honeymoon. Well, one of my favorites.