Baking as an Art not a Science (Banana Almond Cookies)

In my SkinnyGirl Margarita Cake post, I shared a little bit about this new idea that you can treat baking more like cooking. Instead of thinking of it as chemistry, a perfect science, think of it more as an art. If you add together fat, sweet, and a binder (butter, sugar, flour), then you will get either a dough or a batter.

We had some old bananas and I wanted to try a cookie again, so I just decided to experiment. In this recipe there is no binder (or flour). I think the egg and almond butter are so sticky that it all holds together that way.

This is a riff on my flourless peanut butter cookie recipe.

Flourless Banana Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies:

2 mashed bananas
1 cup almond butter
1 egg
1/2 cup chocolate chip cookies
optional- sugar to taste, between 1 tablespoon and 1/2 cup

Mix all ingredients together (gratuitous shot of baby),

scoop onto baking sheet,





and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

So yummy!

Jessica

I made these for Passover along with the fluffy matzoh balls and chopped liver. Such a good dessert choice. Pin It

Spending Money on What I Value

Recently I heard someone I greatly respect say that kids won't listen to what you say, they will do what you do.

Part of that involves actually doing what you want them to do. You know, exercising instead of watching TV and telling them to exercise. Reading instead of surfing the internet and telling them to read. Giving money away instead of shopping and telling them the importance of charity...

And an even trickier part is spending your money on what you value, so your kids can see it in action.

My kids are filling a box for my daughter to bring back to school for charity. LOVE that school!

The other day, May 6th to be precise, I asked my 5 year old what she thought we spend our money on. Here are her answers:

1. Charity (tzedakah in Hebrew)
2. Her School
3. Her Brother's School

So, I give us an A for conveying our values of giving to charity and education to our kids. Hooray!


Just for fun, here is where we actually spend our money:

1. Housing
2. Education
3. Charity
4. Food
5. Exercise, Recreation, etc. (gym, pool, skiing, biking...)

Not too shabby, given that we are trained as architects and our built environment is incredibly important to us:)

What would your priorities look like? Real life versus ideal? Or what would your kids think? Ask them and let me know!

Jessica

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