Cookies!

As many of you know, we recently went through "Remodel Hell" at our house.  We didn't have a kitchen for several months, so cooking was done in a microwave, grill or toaster-oven (did you know you could bake salmon in the toaster-over?  I've tried it all).  You can do a lot with these appliances, but it is NOT the same as a full functioning kitchen by any stretch of the imagination. 
The saying of "you always want something you don't/can't have" kept coming to mind throughout this experience.  We wanted to cook certain things (i.e., frozen pizza, brownies, cookies, etc), but we needed an oven or stove to do so. 

"Remodel Hell" made grocery shopping very interesting. frustrating.  I would go down the isles and read boxes to see if it had microwave directions.  Thank goodness for mini (very unhealthy) pizzas, Pasta Roni and Zanerian's Pasta dishes, and a big fat NO thanks to spaghetti noodles, brownie mixes and anything else that requires boiling or baking!

Now that we have our kitchen back, I have been doing some baking.  Below are some cookies I baked!  No, is it is not a family recipe. In fact, it came straight off the back of the chocolate chip's package, so I guess I am pulling a "semi-Julie!"  (Have all of you seen the movie, Julie & Julia?  I haven't, but I've heard it's good!)

Nestle Toll House Cookie Recipe:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (optional in my house)

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE in preheated 375-degree [Fahrenheit] oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. (A Mrs. Soirées & Shenanigans' tip: put a piece of bread in the container you store the cookies.  It keeps the cookies moist!)