Happy Fat Tuesday!

I made King Cake last night. It is by far the best recipe I have come across for it. I will post photos and the recipe later, mostly because it seems like a lot of work right now to upload the photos and post them. But I will not fail. Also, when I googled "Fat Tuesday" this is one of the first images I got. It is so fantastic. I might try to do this with my cats. Anyhoo......

I love New Orleans. I love Mardi Gras, I love Fat Tuesday. I get more excited about today than most other holidays. I am making jambalaya for dinner and we're eating left-over King Cake and sipping on cocktails tonight. If you have never been to New Orleans, GO. We went to New Orleans 3 weeks before Katrina hit for our honeymoon. When Katrina hit, the hubby and I were glued to the screen in tears. We had spent 2 weeks in New Orleans and made so many great friends that we still talk to. I remember frantically emailing/texting/calling to make sure they were all okay (they were.) I remember signing up for every possible volunteer program I could to go down there and help. It was a horrifying event, and New Orleans really is still recovering from it. We try to go every year, but we don't always make it. This year we are going again because we haven't been in two years and I cannot wait. I think we're going during Southern Decadence, because dear lord it is fantastic. If you don't know what Southern Decadence is, look it up. Hands down the best time we ever had in New Orleans.

So anyone that has never been to New Orleans, it is a fantastic, warm, loving city with a fantastic atmosphere. Oh, and good food. Really, really, really good food. And so for Lent you can go and help out the people of New Orleans by spending money and helping their city come back, instead of giving something up. Because Lent really should be more about giving things, than taking them away. And where better to do it than New Orleans? And today, all the images that the news is showing of Mardi Gras going on just makes me sigh and dream of New Orleans. And really crave crawfish. And beignets. Be bad today! And go to New Orleans!

Bulldog Salsa

I have this client. We will call her Pippi. As in Pippi Longstocking. Because she has red hair and freckles. She is the sweetest woman alive. But she is a crier. I am not good with criers, to say the least. Okay, I am horrible with criers. I don't really cry, and weirdly enough the only time I really cry is during sad movies. I cried like a baby at the end of Toy Story 3. What can I say? I am a plethora of contradictions. But anyway, Pippi cries pretty much every time I see her. And in all honesty, it drives me crazy. She knows this, because I tell her. I'm not a "huggy" family lawyer. My favorite quote is "I'm not a therapist, but I can send you to a good one." My personality is just not built to hold someone's hand and pat them on the back. I'm much more of a "screw him, he left you for his secretary so let's make him pay your bills and get outta here" kind of personality. And my clients like it, mostly because they know I'm honest with them about what is going to happen. I never, ever tell them it's going to turn out exactly how they want, in fact I always prepare them for the worst. Today though Pippi was hilarious and called me a "Bulldog." Luckily, she said it smiling and it was after I cleaned up the floor with an opposing attorney. (For any soon to be lawyers out there, it is a really REALLY bad idea to put something in a motion with no substantiating evidence behind your claim, especially if I have document in my hand that says the complete opposite. Judges do not like that.)

I like Bulldogs, they're cute dogs. All wrinkly and chubby and snorey. So I'm not sure her nickname was completely correct, but I'll take it as a compliment anyway. So here is my Bulldog Salsa. I got a food processor for Christmas from the hubby and I have been making up salsa like crazy. I have probably made 15 different versions. I made this last night, and it is, by far, my best yet. It actually tastes like authentic Mexican restaurant-style salsa. Enjoy!

• 1 28 or 32 oz. can of whole peeled tomatoes, with juice
• 2 tomatillos, outer shell removed and washed
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 2 large handfuls cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili pepper
• 2 chili peppers in adobo sauce (small can in the Mexican food aisle, this adds the heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• Juice of 1/2 a lime

1. Boil water in a small saucepan. When water boils, put the peeled tomatillos (tomatillos are weird little fruits that come with basically an onion-like cover around them that you need to remove) in the water. Boil for 5-6 minutes. Tomatillos should be tender.
2. Pour entire can of whole tomatoes with juice in food processor (or blender). Add all the remaining ingredients.
3. Process all until it is almost all liquid. It should not be very chunky, like so:

4. When it gets to this consistency, you are good to go. Some people like it even liquidier (not sure if that's a word) so you can keep pulsing until you get your desired consistency.
5. Taste the salsa, with a chip to get correct taste for it. Usually, if I add anything it's more cilantro or chilis in adobo. Be careful with salt since the chips are salty themselves.

Oscar meatballs

Oh my God the Oscars sucked. It was almost painful to watch. I'm going to start the 2012 Ricky Gervais petition right now. I love awards season, mostly because I like to see what everyone wears and all the crazy shit that happens. This year was such a bore. And I'm pretty sure James Franco was on something. Or he really just didn't give two shits. Either way, I hope the Oscars never does that again.

That being said, I made my cocktail meatballs for my little Oscar shin-dig, and as always they were a hit.  I've changed the recipe over the years, and I think I have perfected it. I think. I make this with my slow cooker so that it makes the whole house smelly yummy, and it makes them super tender but you can also just cook the meatballs in the sauce in a casserole dish in the oven for an hour and get a similar result.

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup quick cooking oats

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1-2 minced garlic cloves

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 small chopped onion 

1 1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup chili sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring

2 tablespoons paprika

1/2 cup scallions (optional, basically makes it prettier)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease a large cookie sheet.
2. In a bowl, mix beef, egg, oats, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, garlic, chili powder, and half of the onion. Form into  balls and drop onto baking sheet.
3. Bake meatballs in the oven for about 5-10 minutes (you don't want them fully cooked, you just want them to get a nice brown crust on the outside)
4. While those are cooking, mix ketchup, garlic, sugar, chili sauce, paprika and the rest of the onion, and liquid smoke. Pour into your slow cooker set to high.
5. Turn slow cooker on and allow the sauce to heat up about 20 minutes.
6. Take meatballs out and put them into the sauce with your slow cooker. Gently toss them around so they get covered in the sauce (I use a rubber spatula so they don't break apart)
7. Put on low for 3 hours or high for 2 hours (depending on how fast you need them)
8. Check them every half hour or so and stir them up. When the are done, throw in some chopped scallions and stir.

These are so good, I swear. It will make even James Franco not seem so bad.

Cookies and custody battles

So I practice family law. And let me just say that we see some really crazy shit when it comes to child custody disputes. Text messages and camera phones have made my job waaaaay more interesting. Most of the time, I think these people are all kinds of f-ing up their kids, and they could give a crap as long as they "stick it" to their ex. It's the sad reality of doing divorces. Even with clients that try to keep the peace and do things right, there's still so much drama. Then again, I was always the kid in school that all my friends told their problems to and talked to about everything. (I get it from my mother, people will tell her their entire life story within 5 minutes of meeting her). So really this job fascinates me every day. Even if it does make me sad for people sometimes.

But oh the cookies. Specifically, Cheryl's Cookies.

A tin of the sugar cookies with buttercream frosting was sent to my office and I am in heaven. Everything seems a little better with a heart shaped buttercream cookie. Have someone you need to send something to? Don't send flowers, send these. Or good lord, even these. I am telling you, whoever you send these to will love you forever. I'm about to cut my fees in half just for getting these. They're THAT good. Daresay it, my own aren't this good and I make damned good cookies.

So if you need a moment of heavenly sugaryness, in a land of chaos and damned cold weather that will not go away, have a cookie.

Goddammit.

It snowed again. And it's supposed to snow again this week. Now I am all kinds of pissed. I was even starting to eye up open toe heels. You see, at my old office I was not allowed to wear open toe heels. And this was really difficult for me because, hello, they are so cute. So I have been pretty damned excited about buying a plethora of open toe heels like the other ladies in my office. Sigh, I guess it's closed-toe heels and boots for a few weeks longer. I had court this morning and literally everyone I ran into was super crabby and blaming it on the weather and its apparent hatred for Chicago. The damned little woodchuck said spring was coming early!

This also means I can't grill yet. But as soon as I can grill again, I'm making this:

Dallas Burger

I love Texas. I love the people, I love their food, I love their warm, warm weather. And I have been craving a grilled burger something fierce. So I'm making these as soon as I am weather-capable so I can start getting excited for warm weather and flip flops. And open toe heels.

Cooking block

You've heard of writer's block? I am currently having cooking block. Ugh, it's so frustrating, especially when I'm trying to figure out what the hell to make for dinner. I am one of those annoying individuals who usually can walk into anyone's kitchen, look through their pantry and refrigerator, and whip up something delicious. Well, maybe not at some boy college dorm apartment, I'm not a magician. And despite having lots of essentials (and even non-essentials) and various ingredients in my kitchen, I am not coming up with anything new and exciting that I actually want to cook. Sigh. So if you've noticed that I haven't had many recipes up in the last few posts, that is why. I absolutely love to cook. But lately, I'm all, "eh, I don't feel like that." Part of it may be that there have been a lot of "events' at my place lately - SuperBowl, Golden Globes, Grammys and soon the Oscars - so I think I'm just burnt out on cooking. Which I never thought would happen.

Then again, I've been working on spending less at the grocery store so that we can save up even more for our impending house purchase next year (with a real backyard! And deck! And master suite! And fireplace!) and since the houses I want require a little more $$, I'm trying to save on groceries. It also has the added benefit of making me slightly skinnier. So that's probably not helping. But even with cheaper things and less ingredients, I'm hoping to come up with wonderful, amazing foods.

So all in all, I need to be re-inspired. Spring needs to come to Chicago. Yesterday it was 50-something, and I was driving around from courthouse to courthouse with my window down. I was irrationally happy all day just because of the warm weather. Maybe being able to cook outdoors and have spring and summer cocktails will re-invigorate my love of coming up with new, fresh dishes. Here's hoping.

President's Day clean-fest

So, it's President's Day! Which, while I know is not generally a holiday that people celebrate, it is a day that I celebrate, because courts are closed. That's right! And although I did come into the office this morning to get some work done, I am leaving in 5 minutes (at 11:30) and I am wearing jeans and Uggs. And then I am going straight home. To clean.

You should know that I have a bit of a homemaker-obsession issue. I'm not Martha Stewart, I can't make a centerpiece out of garden scraps or whatever (but I might try it) but I love to clean my house, wash the sheets (really what is better than getting into bed on warm, freshly-washed flannel sheets in the winter?), and cook and bake. I also am obsessed with sending Thank You cards, and buying the perfect gift for whatever occasion.

So my house is a total mess right now. So I am going to go home and it's going to look like a show-home when I'm done with it. Floors will be scrubbed, drapes will be cleaned, kitchen will be spotless. And then I am going to bake banana bread so that my house smells like fresh-baked banana bread tonight. Because I don't want my house to smell like cleaner. And then I will spend a cozy evening in my just-cleaned home with a bottle of wine and Taco Bell.

That's right, I'm classy.

We survived, with cookies.

Whew! So where we lived, we got 20+ inches of snow. I left work early Tuesday, stopped at the grocery store and at about 2:30 in the afternoon when I was 5 blocks from my house, it started getting scary. Snow was coming down heavily and the winds were whipping it back and forth. At that point I called the hubby and told him to get his ass in his car and get home. He said it's "not that bad." I then proceeded to threaten his life if he didn't get going now. Finally, he relented. Fast forward 3 hours later (his drive is usually 45 minutes) and we hunkered down. By that point, we could barely see the houses across the street. It was actually kind of fun (once we knew all our family and friends were home safe). Until the power went out. Terror.

But it came back on 5 minutes later and all was fine again. We drank red wine, made pasta and watched movies (and the Weather Channel). The next day we awoke to a snow drifts blocking us in the house, and our neighbor across the street's entire car under snow. So I baked cookies, and banana muffins and made hot chocolate. This is not a complicated cookie recipe, at all. But they were warm and gooey and just what we needed on our Snow Day. Hope everyone has been plowed out!

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree
2. In mixer, beat butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture until well blended. (Dough will be thick)
5. Mix in the chocolate chips.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet, or line baking sheets with parchment paper and place cookies on parchment to prevent sticking. Pat down dough slightly.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

snO.M.G

So, in case you've been under a rock, Chicago is about to be hit by one if the biggest blizzards in decades. I believe the exact quote from the National Weather Service was, "unless it's worth dying for, don't go outdoors tomorrow." As much as I love my clients, they are not worth dying for. Thank goodness I don't have any cases up in Cook County tomorrow, because apparently they are refusing to close. Ah, Cook County. And luckily, the cases I do have are already moved. So I am closing up shop early today, to go to the grocery store and stock up on snacks and booze. That's right, when you have to hunker down for 24 hours, you need to make sure you have the essentials. And because I have no desire to cook (because, hello, what if the electricity goes out, or I don't have an ingredient, I am sooo not going out there) I will be stopping to get some frozen pizzas. (Let's just hope my oven doesn't go out, it is gas). From here:

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Yummmmm.......Between pizza, booze, some movies and a whole lotta blankets, I think we'll survive the next day or so. But trust me on these pizzas. They even ship nationally. You're welcome.

Oh, and if those 18-30 foot waves come off of Lake Michigan onto Lake Shore Drive? I want photos. Like this but hopefully without the cars.

Stay safe everyone!

Divorce Court. In my office.

I didn't have court today. So you would think that would mean that my day is therefore easier right? That's what I thought. I even sauntered in at 9:30. WRONG. So wrong.

Call #1: "I don't understand why he won't sign the marital settlement agreement. I am being totally fair!"
(ensue 20 minute conversation explaining I can't make someone agree to her settlement terms, especially when you're basically asking him to pay for everything)

Call #2: "So I found a divorce lawyer on Craigslist who will charge $300 to do the whole divorce. He says he's new. Can you do it for $300?" .......5 minutes later after explaining that filing almost costs that much: "Oh, I have 3 kids but I want sole custody."
(No. Don't call back)

Call #3: "I left you a message at 2am, did you get it?"
(Probably. Maybe. If it was the one about your dogs, I'll go with no)

That's not even all of them. I think I have spent more time on the phone today than doing actual work. I need one of these:

I'm going to spend the rest of my afternoon ignoring my phone and looking up this peartini cocktail recipe thankyouverymuch.

Junk Food Redux - Chili

So obviously I have not posted my Game Day recipes. There was a bit of a family emergency over here that lasted the last few days, so I didn't even really watch the game. Luckily, everyone is going to be fine, and it's all been resolved but it was a stressful few days. And therefore rather than cooking and hosting, I've basically spent my days eating junk food and whatever the easiest fast food place I could find. And now I feel totally gross.

So because my husband loves me, and knows I've been running around like a crazy woman and am too exhausted to cook, he made me his special chili. It's probably a standard chili recipe, but it's a recipe my husband makes all on his own and it is delicious. And we always have leftovers and use it for chili dogs, nachos etc. later in the week. And I love him for doing it. Here is his recipe!

• 2 pounds lean ground beef (or ground turkey is really good too)
• 1 large onion, diced
•  2 large bell pepper, minced (I like doing one red and one green)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2(15 ounce) cans kidney beans
• 2(15 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 3 jalapeno peppers, minced (optional, it's already hot without this, so you can keep it out)
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
•  1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Cook beef, onion, and bell pepper in a large pot over medium heat until the beef is brown and onion and pepper are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain grease from beef. 
2. Stir in minced garlic and saute for about 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant, add tomato paste and mix paste in.
3. Stir in beans, tomatoes, jalapenos (if using), chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Bring mixture to a slow boil; cover and reduce heat. Simmer chili at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it does not stick. If you see that the chili is starting to get too thick, add water 1/4 cup at a time.
4. When chili reaches the consistency you want, TASTE IT. Add salt/pepper/chili powder until you get the flavor and heat you want.
5. Top with chopped onions, shredded cheese and enjoy!

Here's to a quieter weekend this week!

Bears vs. Packers - this is gonna get ugly

So I live in Chicago. Which means that pretty much everyone I know is a huge Bears fan. My husband, was born and raised in the heart of Wisconsin. Therefore, he is a huge Packer's fan.

Enter the biggest football showdown in the Midwest since 1941, and you have my life this coming Sunday.

One of our good friends is a Bears fan, so he and the hubby have agreed not to talk to each other on Sunday so they don't hate each other by 3pm. I think this is a good plan. And considering that tickets for this game are skyrocketing, and it's all you hear about on the radio and on TV right now, I've decided I'm going to go all out on the game time food. It makes me happy to plan and prepare, so here I go. Below is my menu, I will post my recipes and photos in the near future.

Barbecue Chicken Nachos

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Chile Cheese Dip (OMG, this is soooooo good)

Cream Cheese & Crab Wontons

Mini Neopolitan Pizzas

And just so we're all clear, I could really care less who wins. To be honest, I enjoy the yelling and cheering and hanging out with friends way more than any of the actual teams. And the drinking, I really like that part.

Panic time

So I really hate January. I'm a big fan of ringing in the new year and looking forward to what the new year will bring. Until I get my bills. Now I just need a drink.

It's important to point out here that I work for myself. Basically. I have my own practice, but I work in an office suite with two other attorneys. Starting up your own practice is really not that hard or expensive. However, keeping it going kind of is. And when January comes, is also when all my bills are due. My yearly bar association dues (which are usually around $100 a piece - if not more) are due in January and I'm a member of like 4 bar associations. Then there's my malpractice insurance dues for the year. Then there's the invoices for office supplies. And of course all the county court security passes. Ugh, I feel like I just spend day after day the last few weeks writing checks. And even though this only happens once a year, and the rest of the year I don't really have to worry about it, it still freaks me out to write such big checks all at once. Sigh. I am a big worrier. Probably why I should not have been a lawyer. I really just should have been a personal shopper. Or a baker. Or a bridal consultant. Or a newscaster.

As an aside, Ricky Gervais was amazing as the host of the Golden Globes. He was hilarious! And I am so not excited about Anne Hathaway and whathisface hosting the Oscars. Boooorriiing. And I love awards shows. Okay, back to paying bills................

Golden Globes Menu...

I love awards shows. I live for awards season. I plan menus and cocktails and host parties and everything. My friends think that I am completely nuts, but I just love doing it all. I live for hosting. And this year I have made it my goal to see every movie that is nominated for Best Film at the Oscars. And of course the Golden Globes, since it's the precursor to everything Oscar-related. But a lot of people are saying the Golden Globes included films they shouldn't have and excluded films that should be in there - Hello, "True Grit" not nominated?! That is an amazing film. And "The Traitor" with Angelina Jolie is? That movie got the worst reviews. So I'm not exactly seeing all the Golden Globes films (such as in the Best Comedy category, those rarely make the Oscars.) OMG, I sound like a lunatic.

I am always bummed when someone wins for a movie I haven't seen yet, I don't feel as invested. (I know, I'm crazy. But I accept and embrace it). I love having someone to root for, or at the very least say, "yeah he/she was really good in that." So far so good, but I have yet to see Black Swan and the King's Speech. I haven't seen Black Swan yet because mostly, I'm terrified. Everyone I know that has seen it has said it's fantastic but "disturbing." I'm not sure how I feel about that, as I don't do well with movies that have torture or rape or other upsetting things. But I know I'm just going to have to bite the bullet before this Sunday. And the King's Speech, according to my hubby, seems boring. But I've heard amazing things. So those are the last two on my list.I'm going to have to drag the hubby out this weekend I think. And also for grocery shopping........

The menu. I'm thinking my Poblano Quesadillas, Pioneer Woman's French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms (I made these for Thanksgiving and got rave reviews), and Southwestern Egg Rolls. I'm also considering Fried Okra. I make it a lot because obviously, I love southern food and want to move to the South, and I love the looks on my friend's faces when they first see it and have never heard of it and then when they try it. I still have more to decide. I am obsessed with appetizers, they are my favorite food, so I love getting to plan parties where I make tons of different appetizers. I have to figure out more, but I think this is a good start. And I still have to figure out the cocktails. I will probably spend even more time obsessing over the perfect cocktails. And this is just for the Golden Globes! Thank God my office is closed on Monday. So much to do, so much to do....oh and running a law practice, I have to do that too.

Potty mouth

I swear like a damned sailor. Mostly, I blame this on growing up with two older brothers. And my dad. My dad claims that he does not swear. It's hard not to laugh out loud when he says this, but if I do he gets super mad at me. So I keep my mouth shut. However, in my office, it's really bad. I swear all the time. (Hey! I do divorces, it practically comes with the territory!) Luckily, my partner does too, but our secretary is very confused by it. The other day I said something along the lines of "this is such fucking bullshit!" I'm sure I was yelling about some maintenance motion or whatever, but I can't help it. Really.

I guess I'm making a disclaimer. In case anyone ever reads this blog, there will be swearing. I know it's unladylike and some people say disrespectful. In truth, I really can't stop. I tried once. I went an hour. Therefore, if it upsets you, I apologize in advance. However, I'm almost 30, it's not going to change now. Also, it's cathartic. I always feel better after I scream out a few swear words. So really, this works out for everyone.


Love,
Sweet Tea, Esq.

Divorce and Daiquiris

A friend of mine reads my blog, mostly to steal my recipes, but also to critique it. Lately she has been saying that I need to talk about my job more because it is "hilarious." Yes, some divorce clients have really let's say....unique life choices. Opening an envelope dropped off by your client containing porn photos (adult porn people, don't freak out) is definitely not something that happens in every line of work. However, being that I would like to keep my job and the entertainment it provides me, I think I'll just stick to random, innocuous statements about my job.


That being said, here is a great daiquiri recipe. Because when you divorce people for a living, cocktails are a must.

• 2 cups crushed ice, plus extra for chilling glass
• 2 ounces light rum
• 1-ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, strained of pulp
• 1/2-ounce Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled)

Place the 2 cups of crushed ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup over the ice, cover, and shake well. Remove the ice from your serving glass and strain the drink into it. Ice your glass before you strain the cocktail into it, it makes it ice cold.

After a few of these, life is damned good. Even if you're going through a divorce.

Happy New Year, here's a cookie recipe!

When my sister was in college, and I was in law school, I would bake her huge batches of cookies and overnight them to her during her midterms and finals. I wasn’t kidding when I said that my mother never baked. The only reason my little sister got care packages at all was because of me and my love of baking. When I was in college, my dad would send me care packages. I think he felt bad that I didn’t get normal care packages like all the other students, but I loved my dad’s care packages. They were full of amazing things, like CD’s I wanted, jewelry, exotic candies and coffees from World Market. It was better than cookies!

But my sister, she and her friends went NUTS for these cookies, so I sent them to her whenever she was in dire need. They are so good. They are definitely more of a dark chocolate flavor, and please be sure to put a piece of fresh bread in with your cookies when you store them so that they stay nice and moist. They are a denser, cake-like cookie, so don’t freak out if they don’t spread much, they shouldn’t! I haven’t made these in forever, but it’s the recipe I have always used. This makes a crazy-ton of cookies, but it’s easy to half the recipe for a more manageable amount. And please note the dough needs to be refrigerated overnight so plan ahead!

Chocolate Crinkles

Yield: 6 to 8 dozen

2 cups chocolate chips

¾ cup of butter (1 ½ stick)

2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups of flour (not sifted)

½ cup powdered sugar

Melt chocolate chips with butter in microwave for 45sec.-1 minute, remove and stir until chocolate chips are melted. (Chocolate retains its shape even when heated, so keep checking it and stirring it to check the consistency. Do not burn the chocolate! If you start to see the oil and chocolate separate, it’s burned so start over.)

Mix in sugar and allow to completely cool. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla, baking powder and salt. Add flour and mix well. Chill dough overnight.

When dough is ready, preheat oven to 350º. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls with your hands. (Put powdered sugar on your hands to ensure the dough will not stick to your hands) Drop the balls into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll around until completely coated. Place the balls on a greased cookie sheet. Do not flatten, they will flatten out a little in the oven. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

(Note: the dough tends to warm up while you’re working and then the cookies will flatten too much while baking, so in between sheets of cookies, be sure to put the dough back in the refrigerator to maintain the stiffer dough).

After removing cookies, allow to cool on sheet for 1-2 minutes and then place on wire rack. Store in airtight container. Cookies will have a “cracked” look to them.

Yummy…..enjoy!