Much Needed Vacation

A vacation is something I would very much like right now. But then again, despite the workload, I guess I have been having somewhat of a holiday lately. You see, I've sorta been in Lala-land for the past few weeks. The end of stressful studio courses and this sudden urge to play all day can be blamed, but a lot of it also has to do with the addition of the boyfriend. HEEHEE. Seeing each other at every chance we get totally feels like a vacay, ya know? We're totally in that fantastical stage where everything is rainbows and butterflies and people always catch us looking at each other with kissy eyes. SO gross - I know - but SO good.




But this entry isn't really about him. It's about a vacation, a break, a hiatus: of the blog. I know I haven't been posting much lately anyway, but I realized that I really need to do this. I'm going to take a formal baking break and focus on what needs to be focused right now. I even told my boyfriend today that I wouldn't be able to see him too often for a while and I'm so very thankful how supportive he is. I know I've been complaining a lot about the stress and the workload, but I'm going to really zip the complaining and walk the talk. So here I am, doing a mini break-up with my other "boyfriend" too: my sweet milk and honey.. :(



I won't leave you empty handed though! Although I am pretty sure you've seen this recipe on the other blog queens' blogs (SK, 101 cookbooks) I would like to give you David Lebovitz's famous Great Chocolate Chip cookie as well. I'm pretty sure I've posted this recipe before but I can't find it (teehee), so here it is again! It's a great, classic cookie with a killer chocolate/nut to dough ratio. The texture, flavor, and bite is perfect. It's an essential chocolate chip cookie that can do no wrong, so make sure you keep this on file! :)




Alllrighty... so I'm probably going to totally go into major blog withdrawal, but I must do what I must do. It's not just the blog either. It's everything in my life right now. Gotta prioritize, make sacrifices and focus myself!! Sigh. Don't get me wrong though. It's very exciting too. Challenges are always a hurdle and an opportunity at the same time, so I'm really looking forward to getting through all this! Here I come, graduation/employment/sister's wedding! And with a brave cookie in hand, of course!

Great Chocolate Chip Cookies

recipe from The Great Book of Chocolate
makes about 20 cookies

ingredients

1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch (1cm) pieces
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups (175 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (200 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup(130 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped

directions

1. Adjust the oven rack to the top 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 300F (150C). Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat the sugars and butters together until smooth. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and baking soda. Stir together the flour and salt, then mix them into the batter. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts.
3. Scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon (5cm) balls. Bake for 18 minutes, or until pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
5. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.