Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A Peanuty Thank You


One of the things you learn when you have knee surgery is that your Home Care Staff is a very important part of your life.

The nurse who comes and takes blood and vitals.

And the Physical Therapist whose goal it is to get you out of bed and first into a walker, and then using a cane and finally, being able to navigate totally under your own power.

And it is their job -- to come and do those things -- but I felt that I wanted to say "thank you" for doing their job and doing their job well.

And what better way to say "thank you" than with food!


So the very first thing I did in the kitchen was to bake cookies. For Cathy and Jamie. So I could properly say "thank you" on the day of their last visit.

Packed into a celophane bag and tied with a ribbon, it was the perfect way for me to say thank you to two people who were so very important to me the first two weeks after surgery.

It's a favorite recipe from a favorite cookbook, Anna Pump's Country Weekend Entertaining. I omitted the chocolate, however, for mine must have been old and it wouldn't melt properly. Husband Jim (who managed to snag a few) felt that they were as good without as with.


PEANUT COOKIES

1 stick softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/ t. vanilla
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 t. baking powder
1 cup shelled salted peanuts
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a baking sheet (or use parchment or silpats).

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until the mixture is light. Add the vanilla and egg. Beat well. Add the flour, baking powder and peanuts. Blend well.

Drop rounded tablespoons of batter, 2 inches apart onto the baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are light brown. Cool.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. Store in a cool dry place.

It's Friday which means that it's time for Foodie Friday so everyone please join Michael at Designs by Gollum to see what's been cooking this week!

13 comments:

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Hubby had that surgery and he's good as new... I told him I read that B-complex works wonders for joints and such... WELL... he took them with his nose curled AND now he's "practically" a spokes person for them... He can't BELIEVE how great he feels, his knee is good as new... He has my son who suffers from sciatic nerve problems taking them and they are working wonders for him too...Hey, it can't hurt to try!

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

OH how I wish I had a package of those yummy cookies about now!!!!!!! What LUCKY caretakers you have!!!!!!

D.B. said...

Martha you are the best, even as a patient!

Lynn said...

You have the most interesting recipes! Peanut cookies, wow, never heard of that! It sounds like you're getting around much better, so glad to hear it:@)

Pondside said...

This is a new recipe for me too.
I think that cookies are always appropriate as thanks, sympathy or celebration.

Beth said...

How sweet of you to bake for your helpers! I hope you are recovering well...it's a good sign that you're back to cooking and blogging! Love how you packaged the cookies, Martha. It looks very pretty.
Blessings, Beth

Rachel said...

What a great thank you! You are a gal after my own heart!
Hope you are feeling 100% soon!!!
Rachel

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely recipe, Martha, but the thought was nicer still. I'm sure they were most appreciative. I hope the day treats you well. Blessings...Mary

Cathy said...

These cookies are a perfect thank you for your caretakers. I love peanuts and know I will enjoy them as well. I'm so happy to read that your recovery is going well.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Adorable presentation!!

:)
ButterYum

From the Kitchen said...

I'd feel pretty special to receive this tasty and nicely presented treat!

Best,
Bonnie

house things said...

Hi, Martha -

Thanks for the compliment on the new old mirror. I'm pretty excited about it.

Those cookies look delicious. I bet you were a very good patient.

Speaking of recipes you've posted. I make that fluffy pancake recipe all the time - well, on most weekends. It was easy to memorize and always turns out just right. I bake it using the convection setting at 400 for 16 minutes. Then, it's done. Easy, breezy. My type of cooking!

Best,
Kathleen

jayayceeblog said...

Yum, sounds delicious. (I do like the idea of melted chocolate drizzled over them!) And such pretty packaging!!!