This is obv a classic but if you are looking for something to resemble the pureed soup you had as a shnub, this is not it. Ina’s Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is thick and chunky and everything I ever wanted. Ina probably felt a chill go through her spine as I used an immersion blender to break the texture down a little bit (sorry girl- I don’t have a food mill, a perpetually cheesin’ husband or a house in the Hamptons). This has a double hit of tomato flavor from fresh tomatoes I roasted in the oven and some San Marzano ones I got at the store. Served up with a grilled cheese, it was the perfect end to a historical day in DC.

Ever heard of Frontier Airlines?  No one has.  It sounds dangerous.  I was pretty confident on the plane with me would be an elk, a moose and maybe one other guy who somehow tricked himself into risking a flight on Frontier to save $50.

We all know airports are like a prison for foodies.  I was starving going into the flight and the only place that seemed like it would have edible food was this Gourmet PB&J Hut. 

 Question does this seven dollar PB&J look “gourmet” to you?

Could there be less filling in this sammie? Could the bread have been more clearly half frozen? Did the owners of this establishment ever have a mom who loved them? Probably not.  This sandwich was white trash.  I tossed it and decided my stomach could make it through the flight.

FAIL. I was effing starving about 10 minutes in and I… had….to…eat….

AIRPLANE FOOD!  Not just any airplane food but  FRONTIER airplane food.  I’m too traumatized to go over the details of this experience now but needless to say I will never be the same.

With an upcoming flight this weekend I was NOT going to let myself get in this situation again which is why I elected to make a shit ton of these Oatmeal Maple and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The maple is subtle as shit which I was a little pissed about but overall these things are little GEMS.  Originally I was going to use a different recipe for these that included Whole Wheat Flour, Spelt, Tree Bark, Peace, Love, Pot stirred with an organic spoon while the CEO of Whole Foods blesses the cookies as they bake.  I went with  this recipe instead because I had everything on hand and they seemed like they would actually taste good.  Sorry I’m not sorry.

I know 9 minutes does not seem like a long enough cook time.  I can picture you taking them out, smooshing one until it looks like shit and then expertly claiming they are “not ready”. Well they are- so chill out for 2 minutes without eating one and they will set and be perfect.

These are cute in their little size and make a great gifty.  For future reference, if you get on this site looking for a regs chocolate chip cookie recipe you won’t find it.  Turns out we’re not boring.

*White Trash Option: Chips Ahoy

One of my girlfriends taught me the concept of POW and WOW. 

Here is a POW/WOW from last weekend:

POW: I received $900 in speeding tickets (true story)

WOW: It was Kelsey’s bday and we celebrated like whoa

POW/WOW from last 3 months:

POW: Monthly apartment rent = cost of 329582852 food processors

WOW: Apartment is amazing

And now a POW/WOW from my life:

POW: Some people don’t like oysters

WOW: I can convert them via compound butter

As an ambassador for awesome food, oysters are the MOST awesome and I refuse to believe an oyster hater can’t be converted.

I’ve toiled in compound butter before and this one could certainly be used for any piece of fish/meat but its best friend is truly the oyster.  Here’s how it goes down:

Mix 10 tablespoons room temperature butter* with two tablespoons parsley, two tablespoons parmesan cheese, one tablespoon lemon juice, two teaspoons garlic, one teaspoon chives, a pinch salt, and a pinch cayenne pep.  Roll up on plastic wrap like a burrito and freeze.  Place a pat on each oyster and grill for five minutes.  Devour.

*Are you a procrastinator? Is your freezer predominantly consumed by fossilized Lean Cuisines because you keep putting off grocery shopping? When I say room temperature, I mean it every time.  Step away from the microwave.  If you did not think far enough in advanced to let the butter set out then you don’t get to make the recipe.

Lastly- shucking oysters is a bitch.  Whole Foods loves you and wants to shuck them on your behalf.  Just call in advanced.