Hello Neighbor!

Last week I was lamenting to my husband about how little I have accomplished during quarantine. Friends have written screenplays, repainted bedrooms and built patio furniture. Me? I’ve barely managed to keep our kitchen clean. My middle daughter walked in during our conversation and put her hand on my arm, “Mom!” she said, “What about the cookies?” Oh yes, #thecookies.

About a week into quarantine, bored and eager to eat my feelings, I decided to conquer #thecookies, Alison Roman’s insanely popular chocolate chip cookie recipe that broke the Internet a few years back. (The recipe’s official name is “Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread or Why Would I Make Another Chocolate Chip Cookie Ever Again?”)

My first attempt was an epic fail. The dough turned into a sandy mess, and I was unable to coax it into anything resembling a cookie. But the “sand” actually tasted amazing, so I knew I was onto something. It took an embarrassing amount of research (Roman has an entire section on her Instagram page devoted to troubleshooting the cookies), but on my third try, I nailed it. These were the cookies of my dreams—buttery, salty-sweet, slightly crunchy clouds of decadence. I’ve since made endless batches, and they disappear so fast I’ve started hiding them.

So all this is to say that even if you didn’t write the Great American Novel, remodel your bathroom or teach yourself quantum mechanics, I hope you found something small to make you smile during these looooong, lonely months. If not, give me your address and I’ll send you a batch of #thecookies (for reals)!

Enjoy!
Kate