Pinwheel Cat

Pinwheel cat, taken in August on a walk down from Monte Baldo by Lake Garda.

Post numero 1 (and peanut butter cookies)

The general intent and idea behind this blog is very simple. I've been blogging for years now and thought it was about time to start doing so in English. Plus, it might mean that my scribbles will form more of a coherent entity - things I like and think the world should appreciate as much as I do. They will probably vary greatly and include all sorts of weird and wonderful bits - from cocktails, through cookies to cats. Plus pictures.

And we shall start with cookies. But no, not just any cookies, oh no. Peanut butter cookies.  

I'm not a fun of nuts. Not even peanuts (yes, I know they are technically not nuts) but I do find myself drawn to peanut butter occasionally. Let's face it - it is thoroughly self-indulgent. The amount of calories in one spoonful should make all of us run to the gym from just looking at it. As I can resist the temptation of a post-peanut butter work-out, after satisfying my crave for the butter itself I'm left with the rest of the jar to enjoy. So I tend to make cookies. They are the simplest of things to make. They really are. They take about 10 minutes, always come out great and the smell when you make them is just fantastic. So, here's how to make them. 

For about 20 cookies you will need: 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

How to make them:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.

2. Cream the butter for 2 minutes. Add the sugars, cream for a bit more. Mix in the peanut butter and egg. In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir into the sugar butter mixture.

3. Grease your baking try or put a baking sheet on it and shape the cookie dough into small (I'd say about 3 cm) balls. Place them about 4-5 cm apart on the baking tray and flatten a bit with a fork. 

4. Bake for about 10 minutes, until they go slightly brown/golden.

5. Cool on a baking sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to a rack to cool completely. 

Voila! 

My sporadic, highly subjective and well-established (in timing, not much else) writings can be found --> here <---

Disclaimer: Bellini is neither my name nor my invention. It was invented by Guiseppe Cipriani, the founder and owner of the famous Harry's Bar in Venice and named after an Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini.