oatmeal raisin cookies that i can stand

The Best Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (fresh if possible)
1 1/4 cups butter — (2-1/2 sticks) room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups steel cut oats
3/4 cup pre-plumped raisins (rehydrated in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain)
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)

In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.

In a mixing bowl, using medium speed of an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy ~ 5 minutes, no shorter. Beat in egg and vanilla.
By hand, stir in the flour mixture. When flour is absorbed, stir in oats, raisins and nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Refridgerate dough for at least 2 hours before baking ~ this will make them a million times better!

Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie.
375 degrees

con queso that won't kill you

a holiday treat that i can always recall is my aunt dorries chili con queso.

what i also recall is the enormous gut rot one would suffer from upon eating a velveeta laced treat with canned rotel.

this recipe is what i like to consider an adult variation that won't immediately stop your heart. serve it in a fondue pot or heat a ceramic dish in a 200 degree oven while you prepare it on the stovetop ~ pour into the warmed dish and serve it up.

2 tbls unsalted butter

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1 jalapeno chile, cored, seeded & minced (or small can of green chiles)

1 tbls flour

1 1/2 cups favorite salsa (emerald valley from oregon works great)

2 cups grated cheddar and/or pepper jack cheese

2 tbls minced cilantro to garnish

tortilla chips for serving

1) melt butter in a fondue pot or pot on stove over medium heat. Saute onions & chiles for about 4 minutes

2) stir in flour and keep stiring for 2-3 minutes

3) add in salsa and bring to a boil

4) add in cheese and continue stiring until melted to obtain a creamy texture

enjoy your snacky without a wad of orange plastic eating your insides!