American cuisine has become sort of the "
Cousin Eddie" of the food world--loud, over the top, and usually overstays it's welcome. But it hasn't always been that way.
Living in New Jersey, we are so lucky to live in the proverbial melting pot- I've grown accustomed to enjoying foods from far off lands and places I've never been to. And marrying into a first generation family, we eat Portuguese pretty frequently. But I've never been any good at cooking it. What I am good at, is cooking American.
So what is American food? It's more than hamburgers and peanut butter and jelly (although I love both of those with my kindergarten heart). What our young country may lack in history it makes up for in rich local culture. From the tippy top of Maine to the Big Island, and everywhere in between, there is good, original, fresh, and delicious American cuisine. And let's not forget the foods of the Native Americans, too. There has been so much influence on our way of life from the people who have come here, and it's a beautiful thing the way our palates have blended.
That is my mission. No donuts inside of milkshakes or bacon stuffed heart attacks. Real tasty food right from the land in which we live. Let's show the world that we are more than a fast food nation.
First up: something sweet.
Oatmeal Cookies
American Recipe Collection, Foods of the USA ©Melissa Teixeira 2018
Maybe it's the Scottish in me-but I love me some oatmeal. Mix it with heaps of butter and sugar and bake it? I'm so there. The first recorded oatmeal raisin cookie recipe was written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1896. And we can thank the good people at Quaker Oats for putting in on their can and bringing it to American homes everywhere.
This is such a straight forward recipe. Instead of raisins (my personal fav) you can substitute it with chocolate chips or chunks, dried fruits, or even nuts. Whats your favorite cookie add in?
2 Sticks of unsalted butter
1 Cup of dark brown sugar
3/4 Cup white sugar
2 Eggs
2 Teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon fine salt
1 1/2 Cups of all purpose flour
3 Cups of rolled oats (regular or instant)
1 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1 Cup of raisins (or other whatever you like!)
In a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer, blend the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, 1 cup at a time until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, being careful to not over beat. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Now Add the dry ingredients into your butter mixture until thoroughly mixed. At this point, you may slowly add your oats, and finally, the vanilla.
Scrape all of the dough mixture out onto a large piece of plastic wrap and roll, or in a covered bowl. Then let chill in the refrigerator for 24-36 hours. Not kidding. The longer it sits, the better. This allows for the flour to completely accept the flavors, making a better texture and taste. But 30 hours should do it!
After those pesky 24-36 hours have passed, preheat your oven to 350º. At this point you can use a large spoon to scoop your dough into rounds on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper; alternatively (and what I do) is line a 1/4 sheet pan with parchment paper, and spread the dough out (must sit at room temperature for a bit for this method though!). If you are baking individual cookies, bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes; If using the sheet pan method, 25-30 minutes.
Pro tip: sprinkle a little but of cinnamon sugar on top just before baking. It leaves a crispy caramelized outside and a soft and chewy inside. Perfect!
