CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES ~ BLOG 366.348

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES adapted from Melissa Clark

Chewy, slightly spicy, yet crisp around the edges with a hint of butterscotch from the DARK brown sugar makes these a fall favorite for our family.

1 cup (2 sticks) UNSALTED butter, softened
1 cup packed DARK brown sugar
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 LARGE eggs
1 tablespoon PURE vanilla extract
1 ½ cups AP flour
¾ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cardamom or ground ginger
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
¼ cup MALIBU coconut rum
1 ½ cups golden (or regular) raisins

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Pour rum over raisins and let sit 10-15 minutes.
  • Butter two large cookie sheets, or line them with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a large bowl until creamy.
  • Add brown and granulated sugars, then beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
  • Add vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
  • Set mixer on low speed, and beat flour mixture into the butter mixture. 
  • Drain excess rum from raisins.
  • Stir in oats and raisins.
  • Spoon out dough by large tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie.
  • Bake until cookie edges turn golden brown, about 9 to 13 minutes. Centers will still be quite soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

CLASSIC BEEF STROGANOFF and/or DEVILED STEAK TIPS

CLASSIC BEEF STROGANOFF
1 1/4 pounds sirloin tips, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 teaspoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced thin **
2 teaspoons hot water
1 tablespoon Coleman’s dry mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
Fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 large shallot, diced fine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh chopped flat leaf parsley

  • Poke each piece of meat with a fork
  • In a mixing bowl toss meat pieces with Bragg’s liquid aminos, cover and marinate 1 hour.

 

  • While meat is marinating prep mushrooms.
  • In a large skillet melt butter over medium high heat.
  • Add mushrooms and sauce until soft and caramelizeng.
  • Drain mushrooms and set aside.

 

  • Whisk together the water and mustard powder with the sugar, and some pepper just until a smooth paste forms. Set aside.
  • Pat meat dry with paper toweling.
  • Season with fresh ground pepper.

 

  • Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add beef pieces and sear on ALL sides, reducing heat as necessary to prevent burning. Transfer eat to plate.
  • Add Add onions and saute until caramelized and browning.
  • Add in the tomato sauce and flour, stirring to blend.
  • Stir in beef broth, mustard paste and wine until well blended and bring to a SLOW simmer, cooking until slightly reduced and starting to thicken.
  • Fold meat pieces and mushrooms into the sauce and cook a couple minutes more until heated through.
  • Remove from heat and fold in sour cream.
  • Serve immediately over buttered noodles.
  • Sprinkle with parsley.

*NOTE*: I prefer thin sliced mushrooms, but some prefer larger mushrooms in which case you should use 1 pound and quarter them.

OR You can make this version of the same basic style meal – just depends on your flavor palette:

DEVILED STEAK TIPS serves 4-6
2 pounds boneless chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
3/4 cup beef broth
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Fresh ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Pat beef dry.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add half the beef and cook until well browned on all sides, turning as needed, about 6-8 minutes.
  • Remove beef with a slotted spoon to a bowl and add second batch.
  • Remove second batch with slotted spoon.
  • Add remaining oil to the pan.
  • When oil is hot, add onion and season with salt, sautéing until soft.
  • Add garlic and season with pepper.
  • Add in flour and stir to blend, cooking until golden.
  • Whisk in tomato sauce, beef broth, vinegar, horseradish, mustard and water. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom.
  • Return beef and any accumulated juices to the skillet.
  • Simmer, stirring occasionally 1 – 1 1/2 hours until sauce is thickened and meat is tender.
  • Season to taste and serve over buttered noodles.

SHARING with FOODIE FRIDAY and FULL PLATE THURSDAY.