Chanukah 2025

For once, Chanukah was not the same week as another holiday.  I hosted a dinner on the last night, which also happened to be the Winter Solstice.

I worked that morning, so I pre-cooked some of the menu and prepped other items.  I had four hours to do the same-day cooking, and didn't really need more than two.

Let's hear it for living in the moment, I didn't take any pictures aside from the upcoming post on how to spatchcock.  I didn't even photograph the bird after roasting.  No platter arrangement, not even the set table.  I thought I had.  The next day, I took one of all the dishes in the kitchen.  I didn't wash anything that night.  It took less than an hour to hand wash everything after I got home from work the day after the party.  It was a long 48 hours, but I was happy to see everyone.

What surprised me was that the kale salad was almost gone.  Pretty much everyone in attendance said they didn't like kale, and I assured them I wouldn't be offended if they passed on any of the dishes.  I didn't even fill the bowl, assuming it wouldn't be popular, but I needed another vegetable in case someone didn't like asparagus.  I massaged the leaves to make them easier to chew and tossed the salad in a Dijon dressing.  The asparagus and latkes were also gone, which I expected.  One guest brought baklava and date rolls, so there was plenty of dessert.  She didn't know I had a Mediterranean theme going on with the meal.  It definitely worked.

Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Latkes with applesauce

Kale Salad with Dijon dressing

Asparagus with Garlic

Zaalouk

Hawaiian Rolls

Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

I haven't done a sheet pan meal in a while, and I've never done one with meat.  Thought I'd go with a basic sausage and root vegetables.  I served it over a cabbage colcannon, as another version of root vegetable, or you could do rice or pasta.  For low carb, serve it over greens.

It's easy to see why sheet pan recipes are so popular.  You can prep them ahead of time, throw everything in the oven, and come back in half an hour to a flavorful meal.  I didn't make a sauce for this, opting to sprinkle the finished dish with dried parsley instead.  One of the nights, I drizzled a little barbecue sauce on it, and it was nice.  Barbecue sauce makes everything taste good.  Gravy would also go well, or even a vinaigrette.  Depends what flavor profile you want out of your meal.

1 lb sweet or mild Italian sausage
1 lb carrots
1 large turnip
1 red onion
2 Tb olive oil
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 400º.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2.  Slice the sausage into one- or two-bite pieces.  This will make everything on the sheet about the same size.  Distribute on the pan.

3.  Peel carrots and cut in coins about the same size as the sausage.  Peel and slice turnip.  Peel onion and quarter or cut in large French slices.  Put all the vegetables in a bowl and toss with the oil.  Add herbs, salt, and pepper and toss again to distribute.  Add to the baking sheet in a single layer.

4.  Roast for about 30 minutes, until sausages reach 165º and vegetables are tender.  All of the vegetables can be eaten raw, so you're only checking that the meat is done.

5.  Serve hot with potatoes, pasta, rice, cauliflower rice, or salad.  Garnish with herbs or any sauce you wish.

Difficulty rating  π

Pinto and Cabbage Soup with Rice

Once again, I found a YouTube video making pretty much what I had already half written as a recipe.  This time it was Spain on a Fork.  I'm giving him partial credit because he inspired me to add arborio to my version instead of having a side of chips for the starch.

When I use pintos, the recipe generally ends up Hispanic-themed.  I was sick, and had spent an hour watching videos of Indian food the day before, so this ended up closer to a curry.  It probably smelled very strong, but my nose was stuffed up.  Assuming it's twice as flavorful as what I tasted.

2 Tb olive oil
*1/2 tsp each brown mustard seed, cumin seed, and coriander seed
salt to taste
*1/2 tsp each turmeric powder and allspice
1 tsp paprika
1/2 yellow onion, diced, about 1 C
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with their juice
*2 Tb tomato paste
1/2 small cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 1 lb)
1 C diced carrots (2-3)
*1/2 C arborio rice
*1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed (about 3/4 C from dry)
*5 C vegetable or meat-based broth
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
*juice of 1 lemon

1.  If making the beans from dry, soak 8 hours, drain and rinse.  Bring to a simmer and cook 1-1/2 hours.  Drain.

2.  Heat the oil over medium in a soup pot.  Add the seeds and half a teaspoon of salt and cook until the seeds start to pop.  Add turmeric, allspice, and paprika and cook until fragrant.  Add onion and cook until softened, about 8 minutes.

3.  Add garlic, tomatoes, and tomato paste.  I actually used my last bag of frozen cherry tomatoes because the plant has rebounded and there will be more soon.  It was about a pint.  Cook until broken down and some of the juice has reduced.

4.  Add sliced cabbage and stir to coat in the aromatic mixture.  Cook for 5-10 minutes, until broken down.

5.  Add in carrots, rice, beans, and broth.  Bring to a low boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  If rice is not finished, simmer until tender.

6.  Stir in chopped cilantro and lemon juice.  Simmer 5 more minutes for flavors to meld.  Taste and adjust seasonings.  Serve hot.

Serves 4 as a main dish, 6-8 as an appetizer

Difficulty rating  :)

Turkey Stock

In the theme of clearing out the freezer, I've had a turkey carcass in there since April.  It was long past time to make broth out of it.  Couldn't believe how much space opened up when I pulled it to defrost.

I don't use much stock or broth and just keep a bag of vegetable trimmings for whenever I need it.  I had two soups in a row on the meal plan calendar.  I could have changed one, but I was in a soup mood.  Caught two colds in a row, one possibly a mild Covid.  The first recipe was to use any meat left on the carcass.  The other was intended as a vegetarian one, but there's no dietary reason I couldn't use a turkey broth in it.  Many so-called vegetarian soups in my older cookbooks use chicken broth.

I had to look up the difference between stock and broth for this post.  I tend to use them interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference.  Broth is usually a quick simmer of only a few hours.  For stock, you cook the carcass/bones low and for a very long time, even 24 hours, to draw as much goodness out of the bones as possible.  Both can contain vegetables or not, and seasonings or not.  I tend to go easy on the herbs and spices and omit salt.  All that will be added when it's used.

Because I was using scraps instead of chopped chunks of vegetables, I took the extra step of making a vegetable broth first, then using that as the water for the long simmer.  This was purely to make it easier to save the meat off the carcass.  If you're trashing everything, save yourself the trouble.  Just letting you know for the photos.

*1 turkey carcass, either raw or leftover roasted, plus the neck and giblets if desired
3 qt water
*1/4 C apple cider vinegar 
*1 or 2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp peppercorns
*2 lbs mirepoix (1/2 onion, 1/4 carrot, 1/4 celery) or vegetable trimmings
*1 tsp dried thyme or sage, optional
Salt to taste

1.  To a large stockpot or a slow cooker, add all the ingredients.  The vinegar is for dissolving the collagen and marrow in the bones.  You don't taste it.  This is what makes the cooled stock gel up.  Stir everything and heat until just beginning to boil.

2.  Reduce heat and simmer for at least 4 hours.  You want it just below the boil, so it doesn't kick up impurities.  I left mine in the Crockpot for over 8 hours.  You can go up to 24 if you have the patience.  Check on it every couple of hours.  Poke it to separate the bones as the cartilage dissolves.  Be careful, it's hot.

3.  Strain out all the flavorings and discard.  I used a fine mesh produce bag.  If desired, pick the meat off the bones and save to use as shredded meat.  I got 4 cups of turkey off a 12 lb bird's carcass.  That's a lot.  If desired, chill overnight and the fat will solidify at the top, then can be removed easily.

4.  Can be used immediately, refrigerated for up to a week, or frozen for longer storage.

Makes about 6 cups to 1 quart, depending on evaporation 

Difficulty  π

Apple-Scrap Jelly

I'm finally dealing with the apple cores and peels from canning day, plus the cores from all the apples I've eaten since then.

I've never made any kind of jelly, so it was an interesting process.  First, you make the juice by boiling the scraps with some water.  Then, after straining out the solids, you boil the juice with pectin and sugar.  That's the whole thing.  If you use store-bought juice, it's way less effort, but the whole point of this exercise was to make something out of garbage.

The recipe I'm using is from the UC Extension master canner site, which I didn't know was a thing.  The course isn't available locally, which is super annoying.

I did make a couple of tiny changes.  I added a touch of lemon juice for contrast.  Adding additional acid is never a problem for water bath canning.  It makes it even safer.  I decreased the sugar content slightly.  With pectin, you can get away with that and still have a set.  And I made the last little jar and a half into mint jelly by adding peppermint extract and a touch of green water-based food coloring, so I could tell it apart.  Maybe a little too much food coloring, but the jelly was rosy from the red apple peels and I didn't want it to look brown.  What I am posting is the tested and approved recipe.

*about 4 lbs apple cores and peels or 4-1/2 C apple juice
5 C sugar
*1 box (3 Tb) powdered pectin

1.  If canning, prepare water bath canner for a 5-6 cup yield.  Sterilize jars by boiling for 10 minutes, or increase end processing time to 10 minutes to compensate.  Recipe only has times for half-pint or 4 oz jelly jars.  Do not make in pint or larger jars.

2.  To make the apple juice, put apple scraps and 4 C water in a large pot.  Bring to a boil for one minute, then lower heat to a simmer.  Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3.  Run the contents of the pot through a jelly bag.  I don't have one, and used a cloth produce bag.  You could also line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth.  The goal is to get all the particles out.  You should have about 4-1/2 C of juice.

4.  Pour the juice back into the pot and stir in the pectin.  Bring to a boil over high heat for one minute, stirring constantly.

5.  Stir in the sugar to dissolve.  Bring to a hard boil that cannot be stirred down for one minute.  The mixture should feel thickened from the pectin, and you will see some cling to the sides.  Remove from heat.

6.  If canning, ladle hot jelly into hot jars.  Wipe the rims clean, place warmed lids on, and screw bands down finger tight.  Process 5 minutes for sterilized jars or 10 minutes for washed.  For not canning, portion into clean, non-reactive containers and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes 5-6 cups

Difficulty rating  :)

Chickpea, Greens, and Delicata Squash

To counteract the decadence of Thanksgiving, I invented this salad for the rest of the weekend.  I've never had delicata before, and not having to peel it was a huge draw.  They were cheap at Trader Joe's, and I haven't made squash for a while.

Total coincidence, Chewed Up made almost the exact same dish the day before.  Clinton did a honey mustard vinaigrette, but most of the ingredients overlapped with what I had planned.  I'm not making the croutons.  I was looking forward to a side of soft sliced bread, and roasted seeds for the crunch on the salad.

This salad has a lot of sub recipes in it, but it can be meal prepped in pieces and assembled later.

1 delicata squash
olive oil
5 oz container arugula, spinach, or any baby greens of choice
*1 can chickpeas, or 2/3 C dry soaked, simmered, and drained
*4 oz crumbled feta
juice of 1 lemon
*1 tsp date syrup or honey
salt and pepper
*1/4 tsp dried sage
pinch of allspice
4 oz feta
*1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1.  Preheat oven to 375º.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Wash squash, then cut off the ends.  Slice lengthwise and scoop out seeds, reserving them in a bowl.  Slice crosswise into half-inch thick slices and arrange cut-side up on the parchment.  Drizzle with some olive oil and rub to coat.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast 20-25 minutes, flipping once during baking.

2.  While the squash is roasting, wash the guts off the seeds.  It takes a while.  Drizzle with a bit of olive oil.  Once the squash is out and in a holding container, you can reuse the parchment for the seeds.  Spread out in a thin layer.  Sprinkle with salt and allspice.  Roast until light brown and starting to pop, 10-15 minutes.  Check and stir every few minutes so they don't burn.

3.  For the dressing, whisk together 1/4 C oil, the lemon juice, date syrup, and sage.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  If not acidic enough, add a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar.

4.  To assemble, add greens to a serving bowl or plate.  Top with squash, chickpeas, and sliced onion.  Drizzle with dressing.  If desired, toss salad at this point.  Then garnish with feta and the roasted squash seeds.

Difficulty rating  :)

Farro and Spinach Salad

This was my side with the tuna, but it's a vegetarian main on its own.  I wanted an alternative grain to rice or barley.

Calling this a "salad" is kind of odd.  It isn't a casserole, not a rice dish, and I had it hot rather than chilled.  I couldn't figure out what other category worked.  Plus, it looked like a salad once it was garnished.

Farro is increasingly available in markets.  Kroger even sells a generic package of it.  The best price I've found is at Sprouts, and then you can get it out of the bins so you don't have to commit to a package until you know if you like it.  It's similar to barley or brown rice, and I find it makes a nice change that doesn't spike my blood sugar.

1 C dry farro
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz frozen spinach
1 Tb olive oil  
*1/2 C diced red onion
*sun-dried tomatoes for garnish
crumbled feta for garnish

1.  Rinse the farro and place in a saucepan with water to cover by one inch.  Season the water with a touch of salt.  Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cover.  Cook until the grains have expanded and split, about half an hour.  Drain.  This also makes a good do-ahead.  5am was a bit earlier than I had in mind, but it was done.

2.  Return farro to saucepan with a light drizzle of olive oil.  Add the spinach and return to a simmer.  The water the spinach gives off will be absorbed by the grains.

3.  Stir in the diced onion and taste.  Add salt and pepper as needed.  Transfer to serving bowl and garnish with sun-dried tomato slices and feta.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Difficulty level  π

Mediterranean-Style Pan-Roasted Tuna

I tend to approach fish steak as the Other "other" white meat, and treat them like lean pork chops.  This time, it got a healthy treatment to counteract all the decadent food this time of year brings.

The nice thing about marinated meat is you prep it up to a day before and can go about your life.  I do wish I had thought far enough ahead to harvest the herbs the afternoon before.  I was out there pre-dawn, in my robe, in the rain, snipping parsley and cilantro from the lettuce patch.  At least the basil is in the backyard.  No one drove by.

This marinade is a generic Mediterranean one that works with any fish, chicken, or pork.  You can use it as a salad dressing or on pasta.  Toss it with roasted or steamed vegetables.  It's tangy and flavorful, and the oil brings a nice mouthfeel to the dish.

1/4 C olive oil
*juice of 1 lemon
*2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 C diced red onion
*1/2 C chopped herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil, rosemary, and/or dill
1 lb tuna steak, about 1" thick

1.  Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice.  Stir in garlic, onion, herbs, and salt and pepper.  Taste and adjust seasonings.

2.  Place tuna in a freezer bag and add marinade.  Seal, then squish everything around to coat the meat.  Place on a plate in the fridge, in case anything leaks.  Marinate 8-24 hours.

3.  When ready to cook, drizzle a little oil on a skillet and preheat on medium-high.  Slide meat and marinade onto the pan.

4.  Cook 8 minutes on one side, flip, and cook another 8 minutes.  I made the mistake of leaving the meat almost 2" thick and had to put on a lid for several minutes in order to get the inside to finish.  If your tuna isn't cooking on the inside, turn down the heat to medium and cover for several minutes.

5.  When the sauce has caramelized and the internal temperature of the fish is 145ºF, it is ready to serve.  Slice if desired.  Garnish with lemon wedges, additional herbs, or a side of tzatziki sauce.

Difficulty rating  π

Apples in Syrup (Canning)

There was a sale on five pound bags of apples.  I brought home one Granny Smith and one Pink Lady.  Realizing that was more than I could eat or bake with before they turned, I decided to can some of them.

Apples can be preserved in more ways than I realized.  What I decided to do was hot-pack fruit in syrup, to use in baking, with yogurt or oatmeal, or mash it into applesauce.  Every source I trust had instructions for it, and the nchfp even had pressure-canning directions.  I went with water bath instead so I wouldn't have to pre-sterilize the jars.  You only have to do that for times under 10 minutes, and these would have been 8 in a pressure canner.

I used wide mouth jars because I thought it would be easier to fill them, but the apples get so soft that it isn't an issue.  If you're cutting wedges or slices instead of quarters, a regular mouth jar is big enough.

If you aren't into canning, just use the apples after the cooking part.  You likely won't be making anywhere near as much as I did.  You can also do them as poached halves, maybe adding some white wine to the syrup.

For quantities here, I'm using the Ball book.  They give them for canner loads.  I did slightly less, and ended up with 7 jars instead of 8.  It's a lot of apples to peel.

10 to 12 lbs apples, stemmed, peeled, cored, and quartered or sliced
6 cups hot syrup, sweetness as desired

1.  Set up canner for an 8 pint or 4 quart yield.  Get the water started, because it's going to boil around the time you finish preparing the apples.  Set up a large bowl of water with an acid in it such as ascorbic acid or lemon juice.  This will prevent browning.  Set yourself up with a podcast or movie, because it's going to take at least an hour to prepare the apples.

2.  Wash the apples in hot water to remove the waxy coating every orchard puts on them after harvesting.  As you finish peeling, coring, and slicing the apples, toss them in the acidic water.  I kept the cores and peels to make apple jelly later.  Not today.

3.  Once all the apples are prepared, set up a large stock pot with 6 cups of water and how much sugar you want in your syrup.  I did a very light one of only a cup of sugar, in case I turn them into applesauce.  I can add more sugar if I make a cobbler or pie.  Bring to a boil until all the sugar is dissolved.

4.  Drain the apple slices and add to the syrup pot.  Return to a boil, stirring often.  Boil the apples for 5 minutes.  Hot pack replaces the air in the fruit with syrup through boiling and allows you to pack more fruit into each jar.

5.  Ladle hot apples into hot jars to 1/2" headspace.  Add cooking syrup, debubble, and adjust headspace.  Wipe rims, center lids, and screw on bands finger-tight.  Process 20 minutes for both pints and quarts.

Difficulty rating  :-0

Red Lentil Polenta

This was originally called Lentil Tofu in the recipe I'm using from It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken.  Looking at the photos, I realized it's more like chickpea flour polenta, so that's what I'm rebranding it.  She does talk about polenta consistency in the recipe.  I see tofu as something fermented, with more of a cheese procedure.

The original recipe is only flavored with salt, and that's how I'm making it this time, but you could absolutely season it with herbs and spices, like the red lentil crepes.  It's kind of the same recipe in a different form.

I decided to shape these in the silicone muffin cups as sort of a flan shape.  This amount will make 8, so I put the rest in a mini-loaf pan.  One-cup ramekins will also work, which I thought of after they were in the fridge.  If you plan to slice it into slabs, use a loaf pan.  It could even go in a jello mold for a fancy shape.  Whatever the final use, remember that this is a do-ahead recipe that needs a minimum of two hours to set, and preferably at least four.

Whole, dried red lentils have become easier to find.  If you're lucky enough to have access to red lentil flour, I put a weight measurement in grams and you can skip the blender.  Just let the flour sit in the hot water for the 15 minutes, then start cooking.

The sauce or use for the polenta is up to your imagination.  I served it cold with a quick tomato-basil sauce as part of a mezze meal.  Because it was 85º in November.  You can cube it up, roll the pieces in cornstarch, and fry them.  Slice and pan-fry or bake to make a firmer texture.  Basically, anything you would do to polenta or firm tofu.

1 C red lentils or 175g red lentil flour
3 C boiling water
1/2 tsp kosher salt

1.  Rinse the lentils and place them in the blender.  If your blender isn't heat proof, do this part in the saucepan and transfer it later.  Add the salt and boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes, to par-cook the lentils.

2.  Cover the blender jar and hold onto the lid.  Starting slow and working your way up, blend the lentils until smooth.  This will take a minute or two.

3.  Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan.  Over medium-high heat, bring to a low boil, stirring constantly.  It's going to happen fast, since the batter is already hot.  Stir until very thick, 5-10 minutes.

4.  Pour batter into a loaf pan, muffin cups, ramekins, or any mold you choose.  It will start to set immediately.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours, and preferably 4 or more.  I did this in half an hour before leaving for work, which is why the photos seem dark.

5.  Turn out of mold and serve as is, fried, baked, or however you choose.

Serves 4 as a main, 8 as an appetizer

Difficulty rating  π

Sweet Potato Soufflé

Got this one in under the buzzer for Thanksgiving.  Also, since it uses ingredients people shop for at the holiday, you shouldn't have to run back to the store for anything.

While I'm modeling this recipe on a half version of Paula Deen's, I'm making a few healthier choices.  For one thing, although I'm calling the ingredient maple syrup, I used keto monkfruit pancake syrup to reduce the added sugars.  I also reduced the amount of butter.  It's still more dessert than a side, which is common for a sweet potato casserole.  I made it for dessert, and included that label.

I know not everyone is a fan of cloves.  The same amount of nutmeg or double in cinnamon is a reasonable substitute.  You could also use pumpkin pie spice, if you want that flavor profile.

*1-1/2 C mashed sweet potato (either roasted or canned & drained)
1/4 C granulated sugar or *3 Tb maple syrup
*1 egg
1/4 C milk
4 Tb unsalted butter, divided
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 C brown sugar
1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/4 C chopped pecans

1.  Preheat oven to 400º.  Grease or pan spray a loaf pan, 6" cake pan, or 4 one-cup ramekins.

2.  Melt 3 Tb of the butter and allow to cool slightly.  Let the other Tb come to room temperature.

3.  In a bowl, combine sweet potato, sugar, egg, milk, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and ground cloves.  Pour into prepared pan.

4.  In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and pecans.  Work in other tablespoon of butter until it makes crumbs.  Top potato mixture with the crumble.

5.  Bake 20-25 minutes, until topping is browned and casserole is mostly set.  It will firm up more as it cools.  Can be served warm or chilled.

Difficulty rating  π

Philly Cheesesteak Strudel

I forget what recipe I was watching online when this idea came into my head.  I haven't made a savory strudel in a long time, and was pleased that there are a lot of variations of this online.

I'm choosing to use crescent rolls here, but puff pastry is a perfect alternative.  And less sticky to work with.  I went on a coupon binge at Ralphs, which included some Pillsbury and the shaved beef I'm using here.  You can also use pre-cooked deli roast beef, but shaved or thinly sliced beef is more traditional.

As long as we're talking traditional Philly, the provolone is borderline.  Cheese Whiz or American is slightly more authentic.  I prefer provolone or white cheddar, which are more popular outside Philly itself.  I get grilled onions on mine, but that's all the add-ons I believe in.  If you want to sauté up some pepper strips or mushrooms, go ahead.  In my book, that makes it a fajita on a bun.

1 Tb oil
*1/2 onion, thinly sliced 
8 oz thin slice or shaved steak
salt and pepper to taste
1 8-count package crescent rolls or 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
flour for rolling
4 slices provolone cheese

1.  Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet.  Add onion slices and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2.  Add beef to the pan and continue to cook until done, moving it around frequently.  Season with salt and pepper and stir again.  Set aside to cool at least 15 minutes.

3.  Preheat oven to 375º while you prepare the roll.  Open the crescents or defrosted puff pastry and roll into a rectangle 12" x 16", using flour as necessary.  If using crescents, you may have to pinch shut the perforations.  Place on prepared baking sheet.

4.  Place beef mixture along the center of the long ways of the pastry.  Top with the slices of cheese.

5.  Cut 1" slits along each side of the meat, then fold over the middle to make a kind of braid design.  If you want a shiny finish, brush with an egg wash.  I left mine plain.

6.  Bake until the pastry is cooked through, approximately 18-20 minutes.  Allow to rest ten minutes before slicing.  Serve while still hot.

Serves 4 as a main, 8 as an appetizer

Difficulty rating  π

Butterscotch & Pecan Oatmeal Cookies

As a reduced-carb person, I haven't bought cookies in a while.  Wow, they got expensive.  All I wanted was a box to throw in the freezer and pull out a couple when I wanted a sweet snack.  Time to make my own.  There were butterscotch chips in the mix-ins box and I had bought pecans for the muffins.  Oatmeal cookie time.

I decided to try a different recipe, one with two eggs in it so I could cut it in half.  It still made two dozen.  Sunset Easy Basics for Good Cooking came out in 1982 and is surprisingly available used on Amazon.  I don't open it often, but it has a lot of good recipes for the comfort foods everyone makes.  It's also a bit of a textbook, which was great in the days before the internet.  The first cookie recipe is oatmeal chip.

*1/2 C chopped pecans
1/2 C margarine, room temperature 
3/4 C lightly packed brown sugar
1 egg, room temperature 
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 C flour
1 C + 3 Tb rolled or quick oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
*1 C butterscotch chips

1.  Lightly toast the pecans, either in a dry pan over medium heat or in the oven, stirring every minute or two.  Nuts go from not done to burnt in a blink.  Set aside to cool.  Preheat oven to 350º and line a cookie sheet or two with parchment paper or a Silpat.

2.  Cream together margarine (butter is ok, but margarine or shortening makes a crisper cookie) and brown sugar until smooth.  Scrape down bowl.  Add egg and vanilla and beat again until smooth.  Scrape down again.

3.  Add flour, oats, soda, and salt and mix until combined but not over-beaten.  Stir in chips and pecans.

4.  Drop by rounded tablespoons on the prepared sheets.  I used the small cookie scoop.  At this point, you can freeze them to bag up and bake later.  I don't have room in the freezer right now for a cookie sheet and baked them all.

5.  Bake 12-14 minutes, rotating halfway through.  Let sit on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.  Store airtight at room temperature up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Makes 2 dozen

Difficulty rating  π