Cowboy Cookies Recipe: A Hearty and Delicious Treat
Introduction
Cowboy Cookies are a delightful blend of hearty ingredients that pack a punch of flavor and satisfy even the most voracious sweet tooth. Packed with oats, chocolate chips, nuts, and a touch of coconut, these cookies are reminiscent of the rugged and adventurous spirit of the Old West. In this article, we’ll guide you through creating these scrumptious cookies that offer a taste of nostalgia with every bite.
Table of Contents
- A Taste of Tradition: Cowboy Cookies Explained
- Gathering Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need
- Creating the Cookie Base: Oats and Flour
- Sweet Indulgence: Adding Chocolate Chips
- Nutty Delight: Incorporating Chopped Nuts
- Coconut Connection: A Tropical Twist
- Wet and Wonderful: Mixing the Wet Ingredients
- Cookie Assembly: Bringing It All Together
- Baking Brilliance: Achieving the Perfect Texture
- FAQs About Cowboy Cookies
A Taste of Tradition: Cowboy Cookies Explained
Cowboy Cookies, also known as Ranger Cookies, capture the essence of hearty, wholesome treats that cowboys might have enjoyed on the open range. These cookies are a combination of textures and flavors that come together in perfect harmony.
Gathering Your Ingredients: What You’ll Need
- All-purpose flour (2 cups)
- Rolled oats (2 cups)
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon)
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened)
- Granulated sugar (1 cup)
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed)
- Eggs (2)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups)
- Chopped nuts (1 cup, pecans or walnuts)
- Shredded coconut (1 cup)
Creating the Cookie Base: Oats and Flour
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This mixture forms the hearty base of your Cowboy Cookies, providing both texture and flavor.
Sweet Indulgence: Adding Chocolate Chips
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, which will add gooey pockets of sweetness to each bite. The chocolate chips are a signature element of Cowboy Cookies.
Nutty Delight: Incorporating Chopped Nuts
Stir in your choice of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts. These nuts contribute a satisfying crunch and a dose of richness to the cookies.
Coconut Connection: A Tropical Twist
Add shredded coconut to the mix, which introduces a hint of tropical flavor and a chewy texture that complements the oats and nuts.
Wet and Wonderful: Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Cookie Assembly: Bringing It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Make sure not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.
Baking Brilliance: Achieving the Perfect Texture
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
FAQs About Cowboy Cookies
Q1: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
A: Quick oats can work, but rolled oats provide a heartier texture.
Q2: Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
Q3: Can I skip the nuts if I have allergies?
A: Of course! You can omit the nuts or substitute them with dried fruit like raisins or cranberries.
Q4: How do I store Cowboy Cookies?
A: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. To maintain their freshness, you can also freeze them.
Q5: Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
A: Certainly! Adjust the cookie size to your preference, but keep in mind that baking times may vary.
Conclusion
Indulge in the rustic charm of Cowboy Cookies, where oats, chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut converge to create a treat that’s as hearty as it is delicious. With a nod to the adventurous spirit of the Old West, these cookies offer a satisfying blend of textures and flavors that are perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying on your own. Bake up a batch of these nostalgic delights and savor the taste of tradition with every bite.
Source: ihearteating.com
Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
Chinese Chicken and Broccoli is a beloved dish that combines tender chicken pieces with crisp, vibrant broccoli in a savory sauce. Known for its simplicity and rich flavors, it's a staple in many Chinese households and a favorite in Chinese-American cuisine. But what makes this dish so popular?
Ingredients
- For marinating the chicken:
- 20 ounces skinless boneless chicken breast cut into ¼ inch slices (about 2 chicken breast)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt (if using fine salt, use a little less)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil any neutral oil is fine
- For the stir fry sauce:
- ⅔ cup soy sauce light sodium
- ⅔ cup water
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- For the rest of the dish:
- 1 pound broccoli cut into florets (about 1 crown)
- 1½ tablespoons garlic minced (about 4 cloves)
- 1½ tablespoons ginger minced (about an 1½ inch knob)
Instructions
Marinate the chicken:
- In a mixing bowl, first combine the sliced chicken breast, water, shaoxing rice wine, salt and baking soda. Mix well until the chicken has absorbed most of the liquids.
- Next add the cornstarch and mix until the chicken pieces are well coated. Finish the marinade by adding the oil. Mix until evenly combined. Set the chicken aside to marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes as you prepare the rest of the ingredients or let the chicken marinate overnight.
Prepare the sauce:
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, combine all of the ingredients for the sauce (soy sauce, water, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil). Whisk well until no more clumps of cornstarch is visible. Set aside until needed.*If you prefer a thicker sauce, use 1 to 2 teaspoons extra cornstarch.*
Make the chicken and broccoli:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Cook the broccoli for about 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on your preferred tenderness. The cook time will also depend on how big the broccoli florets are. Once cooked, drain the broccoli and set aside.*We usually boil our broccoli for about 1 minute because we like it more on the crisp side.*
- In a wok or sauté pan over medium high heat, add enough oil to generously coat the bottom. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken and cook on both sides until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the wok/pan and set aside.*The chicken doesn't need to have color, but if you prefer, you can sear the chicken until golden brown. Do make sure to separate the chicken so that it gets evenly cooked, and cook in small batches if necessary.*
- Reduce the heat to medium and keep about 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. Drain excess oil if necessary. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 15 to 30 seconds.
- Give the prepared stir fry sauce a good stir and pour it into the pan with the garlic and ginger. Let the sauce heat up until it starts to simmer and the sauce looks thickened and glossy. Make sure to stir frequently to prevent the sauce from scorching on the bottom.
- Once the sauce looks thick and glossy throughout, reduce the heat to low and add the chicken and the broccoli florets. Toss until everything is well coated with sauce.
- Serve with rice and enjoy while hot!
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 357