I know I don’t usually blog about lunches, since, you know, this blog is called “What’s for Dinner?” and all, but yesterday’s lunch was definitely “blog-worthy”.
I do have to rewind a bit. When I was in college, I was in a sorority. I met some of the most amazing women during my time there, and within our sorority we had little “families”. My “mom” and “aunt” were two girls that I knew I could always go talk to, even if I had the silliest of problems… like “OMG I borrowed my friend’s jeans and ripped them” or “Who do I take to date party?”
Throughout the years since graduating from college, some of those friendships faded, and some were just put on hold as we all got “real” jobs and got acclimated to being adults instead of college kids. There were always a few people who I’d email with, vow to catch up over lunch, and then it never happened. My “aunt” Jenny was one of these people.
Fast forward to 2008. I started this little blog with rather disgusting pictures of really delicious recipes, and I started reading the same blogs thousands of people read a day. I’ll never forget the day that I checked in on Jenna’s blog and saw a familiar face with Kath and Jenna. There was Jenny! I believe I squealed, and then promptly dug through my old emails to find her email address. It turns out, Jenny is a regular blog reader and comments under the name “Fancy”! We reconnected thanks to blogs, and it turns out that we were planning our weddings at the same time, and FINALLY got to meet up and catch up for lunch yesterday. And, thanks to the rave reviews on Meghann’s and Gina’s blogs, Jenny was DYING to go to Seasons 52!
Jenny, the collage background is pink just for you!
Clockwise from top left: Me & Jenny, my buffalo burger and salad, Jenny laughing at “Mara being food blogger”, menu header, dessert shot selection, Jenny’s scallops, my Meyer lemon mousse dessert shot, and my white bean and pesto soup.
I kid you not when I say that we sat in our little booth for over 4 hours just talking about blogs, healthy food, gossip, blogs, and food. Did I mention blogs? It was seriously one of the most fun lunches I’ve had in a LONG time! We’ll be having more of these meet ups soon, thats for darn sure.
When I got home, since it had been about 3 hours since I’d eaten, I was actually hungry again. I munched some leftover bolognese sauce on noodles, and really wanted something sweet. Since I’ve spent a good amount of the last few days indulging a bit, I wanted something that could satisfy that sweet tooth without having to eat the whole batch.
And so were born, inspired by one of my favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavors:
Not-So-Chubby Hubby Cookies
a.k.a. Chocolate Chip Peanut Pretzel Cookies
Servings: makes 32 cookies
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter or butter substitute
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raw sugar or sucanat
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 egg whites
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 350*F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the egg whites and mix well.
Then, add in the peanut butter and vanilla, and mix well. Then, mix in all the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips and pretzels, and mix until well-combined.
If you're using a stand mixer, add the pretzels in whole along with the chocolate chips, and mix with the mixer for about 30 seconds until the pretzels are broken up. If you're mixing by hand, smash up the pretzels first.
Scoop in rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets and bake 14-18 minutes, until lightly browned.
I enjoyed two, with a glass of skim milk.
They were salty, sweet, crunchy, and were definitely satisfying. I can see myself eating them for breakfast!
Have a beautiful Sunday!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Mara, this post is adorable! I had the most wonderful time with you yesterday, I can’t wait to see you again soon. For everyone reading…..you should know that Mara is just as sweet and fun in person as she comes across on her blog
Love you, Mara!
XOXO,
Auntie Jenny (aka Fancy)
Love you!! McCormick and Schmicks next time!!!
P.S. LOVE the pink background
OOOH I want those cookies!
P.S. – the Seasons 52 food looks divine.
VeggieGirl´s last [type] ..Dancing With The Stars Yet Again
Your lunch looks spectacular! Definitely blog-worthy!!
Those cookies sound soooo good. You had me at the pretzels. Yum.
J3nn (Jenn’s Menu and Lifestyle Blog)´s last [type] ..Soak It Up
I love the sound of those cookies!! I love the sweet/salty combination. It gets me every singe time!
I’m making these cookies tonight! YUM!
Your lunch looks amazing!!
Jenn@slim-shoppin´s last [type] ..Great date night – busy weekend
Let me know what you think!
Don’t you just love meeting up with old college friends? I can totally understand why you sat there for 4 hours!
Ally@Sweet & Savory´s last [type] ..5 Hour Oven Stew gluten free
How FUN!!! What a treat to meet up with an old friend!!!! And speaking of treats, the pretzel cookies? YUM!!! Have a great day Mara!
Roz´s last [type] ..The chicken crossed the road!
What a great visit! You had me at buffalo burger and that white bean and pesto soup looks so good!
Happy Monday – sorry you are back to school this week!
Biz´s last [type] ..Weekend Recap and Winning!
Those cookies look great. I plan to make them soon!
I saw these cookies and they looked so good I had to make them and they were AWESOME. I have never baked with whole wheat flour or flaxseed so I was alittle nervous but so happy to find a delicious and healthy cookie. Thank you for being so creative and sharing these.
So glad you enjoyed them!