Economy and The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

We had a scare yesterday. Actually, in this economy, there’s always a chance of a scare so I guess it’s something that’s been in the back of our minds (and many others). Greg, my husband, announced that his company was having a meeting to discuss the way they will be moving and shaking from now on due to the profit loss that has been happening for quite some time. For months, there have been rumors and actual instances where people were “let go.”

Some were obvious and others seemed to come from out of the blue. I am pretty sure I was more afraid than Greg. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have to start the job search all over again, after years of struggle to find something within his degree field-I am still looking for something within mine since moving over a year ago. No job for either of us would mean doom. Survival would consist of selling all of our belongings among other things I don’t want to name because it sends shivers down my spine.

His review was great a few months back but you can never be too sure that you won’t be harmed. A pay cut would still be a swift kick to the gut for us right now. I felt horrible for those 25 that lost their jobs, especially since the rumor was that 12 persons were going to be fired in 2 plants. I wish them the best and hope that their lives won’t be harmed too much by this. I am not one to believe that food can be a comfort for something on this level so I’m not even going to segue with some lame, insensitive comfort cookie reference.

I was searching for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe last week. I thought I had one but realized that they only turn out “just right” half of the time, no consistency whatsoever. Greg enjoys a crisp, flat cookie and I enjoy…well, I enjoy these. Greg was still very pleased because the cookie had a crisp edge with a chewy, melty center…I don’t even want to describe it anymore because you should just make them and shake your head in agreement that these are awesome. I came across these at lovintheoven.com and found out they actually came from allrecipes.com (someone named ElizabethBH). I thank you wholeheartedly! (I didn’t add as many chocolate chips but go crazy.)

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1-2 cups semisweet chocolate chips-to your taste

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until blended. Add the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Add the sifted ingredients until just blended and then stir in the chocolate chips.

Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour. Preheat the oven to 325. Drop dough a spoonful at a time onto the prepared cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Make the size to your liking. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until the edges are lightly toasted. Turn half-way through and cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.