I had a serious craving for cookies last night, so I took to the internet to search for a recipe. I bought a brand new bag of almond flour the other day, so I Googled “almond flour cookies,” which turned up my friend Evan’s Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies and, boy, did they look delicious! I didn’t have any chocolate chips on hand (and I was too lazy to run to the grocery store), so I swapped them out for dried cherries and walnuts.

I wasn’t sure what to expect baking cookies with almond flour, but Evan’s recipe assured me they’d turn out well—and they did! Holy deliciousness!

The flavor of these cookies is slightly sweet and sort of buttery with a soft, doughy texture and a little chew and crunch from the dried cherries and walnuts. I’m a big fan of these babies. I’ll definitely make them again!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until batter is blended evenly.
3. Roll batter into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
4. Bake cookies for approximately 12-15 minutes.
5. Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.
6. Eat and enjoy!

Makes 12 cookies

Speaking of almond flour, I’m hosting a giveaway for a bag of it on Trading Up Downtown this morning!

Hi, Mal!! Whatcha doing on the roof?

My husband was en fuego with the home improvement projects today. He got so much done!! His “Honey Do List” is looking really good!

First, Mal tackled the gutters.

Which made a mess of our yard.

And totally confused the pug. Murphy even started whimpering at one point! I guess he was really worried about “Dad.”

Then, Mal accomplished a bunch of indoor tasks. I had no idea he was so handy!

I’m not very skilled when it comes to home improvement projects, so Mal sent me to Lowe’s to buy “cool” things like flood lights and a Shop-Vac. I also purchased a couple of new floor lamps, so that part of the trip was fun!

Dinner

I only made one recipe from Rocco’s 5 Minute Flavor (as part of my Cookbook Challenge), so, tonight, I whipped up another dish from his book: Gnocchi with Toasted Garlic, Walnuts & Bitter Greens. But, as usual, I did my own thing and substituted a few ingredients and changed some measurements, so here’s my version of the recipe!

Tortellini with Toasted Garlic, Walnuts & Collard Greens

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 (9 oz) package of refrigerated tortellini
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup walnut halves, slightly crushed
• 3 cups collard greens, chopped
• 1/4 grated Parmesan

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Drain.

While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan until hot. Add the garlic and walnuts and cook until the garlic is golden brown and the nuts are aromatic, about 3 minutes.

Then, add the greens to the pan and season with salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring frequently, until the greens are wilted.

Add the tortellini to the pan and toss to coat. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.

Another great recipe from Rocco!

I really like that this meal came together so quickly. From start to finish, it took about 15 minutes and it was soooo simple. I love these kinds of recipes!

For dessert, I enjoyed a glass of eggnog and a dark chocolate Adora disk.

Thank goodness eggnog is only a once-a-year treat because I just want to keep drinking it! But, sadly, too much makes my stomach very unhappy. One small glass is all it can handle.

I’m chilling with M & m tonight. After the day we had, we’re in the mood to relax.

These Banana Oatmeal Chip cookies taste way too delicious to be good for you. Surprisingly, they are equally nutritious as they are delicious! Super star ingredients include: ground flaxseed meal, banana, soy milk, agave nectar, whole wheat flour, walnuts, and canola oil. Sounds like an all-star cast to me! Added bonus: these cookies are vegan!

Makes approximately 25 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (or honey)
• 1/4 cup soy milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Check out the chunks of chocolate chips and walnuts! Holy yum!

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350*F.
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until batter is blended evenly.
• Use a tablespoon to portion cookies on a greased baking sheet, approximately 1-2 inches apart.
• Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.
• Eat and enjoy!

Make sure you give this recipe a try! You will not be disappointed!!

TGIF! Boy, do I really, really mean it this week!

I like my new job and all, but it’s usually fast-paced, which makes for a rather intense (and often stressful) day. My old job was nothing like that! I’m really not complaining– I wanted a job like this. My mind and body just need to get used to the new expectations. The fast-pace, however, does make the day fly by!

Anyway, I am very happy that the weekend is just about here, so I can fully relax! I’ve already decided that I have a hot date tonight with my PJ, a glass of wine, and episodes of How I Met Your Mother!

This mornings oatmeal: banana-coconut-walnut! In the mix: oats, banana, walnuts, oat milk, and ground flaxseed meal, all topped with shredded coconut and two scoops of Barney Butter. De-lish! 

Check out Bruce in the background! He’s enjoying his new home!

Question of the Day

If you could, would you relive your college days?

(If you’re in college, what do you like best about college life?) 

Remember this pizza? Well, I entered it into the Boboli Great American Football City Tour Recipe Contest, and it was chosen as 1 of 4 SEMI-FINALISTS!!!

Semi-final voting starts today, so please vote for my Autumn Maple Bacon Pizza (Christina H.). You can vote once a day until next Sunday, January 18th, so be sure to vote for my pizza everyday! If I win, the prize is a huge LCD television, which Mr. Mal is really, really, really excited about it! (I’m excited, too, but not nearly as excited as him! )

Vote Here

Breakfast

Breakfast was a lovely bowl of banana-walnut oatmeal topped with the very last spoonfuls from my jar of Barney Butter. Looks like I need to order more soon– lets hope that free shipping code still works! Barney Butter please come to the east coast soon!

Question of the Day

Have you ever won anything? Contest, promotion, sweepstakes, giveaway, etc.? If so, what’d ya win?