Potluck Cookies and Newspaper Feature

I am a huge fan of potlucks.  I love seeing what everyone else brings and the way in which they prepared their dish.  Most of all, I love talking to people about what they brought, gleaning ideas and methods of making different dishes from the conversation.  Oh, and eating.  I also enjoy eating the food, for sure.  With so many intollerances, it's hard to know what to expect at a potluck.  I always bring something that's gluten-free and vegetarian, so that I'm positive there will at least be something I can eat.

Tonight, at our local independent bookstore Longfellow Books, is a community potluck.  The potluck is paired with a reading from a local author, Caitlin Shetterly who just released a memoir titled Made for You and Me.  Guests can bring their favorite comfort foods.

What's my favorite comfort food?  Cookies, for sure.

Part of why I love cookies so much is that I enjoy the meditation of baking.  The precise (or not so precise) measurements, the exactness of taste and sweetness, the smell of everything coming together in the mixing bowl.  I love the muscle that goes into stirring, and the changes that happen in the texture of the batter.  There's something great about combining wet and dry ingredients together, giving it some warmth, and getting a morsel of comfort in return.

I was originally going to call these cookies "Trail mix Cookies" on account of the ingredients:  granola, dried fruit, nuts, and banana.  But then, upon reflecting on the variety of ingredients in the cookie and the variety of foods presented at a potluck, I've decided to name them "Potluck Cookies."  There, it's official now.

Potluck Cookies

• 3 cups rice flour
• 1/4 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 cup granola of your choice (I used granola from Love Grown)
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
• 1/2 cup dried fruit - raisins, dates, apples, whatever suits your fancy
• 2 1/4 cups almond milk
• 1 mashed up banana plus 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons 100% chocolate powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons stevia.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 cup sugar

 Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease a baking pan with oil, butter, or cooking spray.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, granola, walnuts, dried fruit, chocolate powder, ginger, salt, stevia and baking powder.  Mix well to make sure everything is well incorporated.  NOTE:  don't add the sugar yet!  In a separate mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, 2 tablespoons water, oil, and almond milk together.  Combine the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring until a lovely aromatic dough forms.  Using an ice cream scoop (or large spoon) drop the cookies onto the baking sheet.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until firm to the touch.  Makes 15 cookies.
*Note: These cookies aren't ayurvedicly angelic -- they combine a few things that aren't recommended. I have read, however, that foods cooked together tend to get along better in your belly. Thus, these cookies are a treat, healthy, and taste darn good!

Also, these cookies are a bit of a celebration -- today I was featured in the Food Section of the Portland Press Herald!  You can read the article about me here!