Skookie = Skillet + Cookie

I am a cookie monster.  But my passion is focused on one type in particular, the Chocolate Chip Cookie.  And, I am peculiarly particular.  I won't eat store bought, which means if I want one, I have to bake it myself.  It's got to be warm-- fresh out of the oven is preferred.  From scratch is best, but the other day I saw a mega box of Ghiradelli mix at the buy-it-by-the-pallet store, and I cracked.  Sometimes I need my cookies fast, so in the interest of saving time, I skipped the scoop and cookie tray trade, and opted to bake a "Skookie" instead.  What's a Skookie?  Let me show you...and get your skillet ready.

Using the Ghiradelli mix to make the batter took about 3 minutes.  Quick is what you need during a c.c. cookie emergency.

Every kitchen should have a cast iron skillet.  We use our Lodge Cast Iron Skillets every day, for every meal.  They are healthy to use, easy to maintain, can go from stove-top to oven, and will last several lifetimes...

Spread batter into an ungreased 10-12" Cast Iron Skillet.  We love Lodge, made in America since 1896.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 25 minutes

When it's golden with slightly browned edges, your Skookie is ready to remove from the oven.  Keep in mind, it will continue cooking after coming out of the oven.

Serve with some of your favorite ice cream (mine is Brigham's Vanilla) and drizzle with your favorite topping (mine is Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Sauce) and you have a super Skookie.
Enjoy!-Colleen

Outrageously Good Cape Cod Cranberry Harvest Oatmeal Cookies

We've got Cranberries straight from the bog, so fresh and delicious, they're at their peak of perfection this month on Cape Cod.   We're sharing our new recipe for Cranberry Harvest Oatmeal Cookies (with white chocolate chips, of course) which will tantalize your taste buds with sweet-tart, oatey-crunchy delight.  I have to admit, these cookies are outrageously good!  Click the here to print out our recipe.     -Colleen

Cape Cod Cranberry Harvest Oatmeal Cookies

makes 2 dozen cookies



Ingredients:

¾ cup butter 
½ tsp salt
½ tsp nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups chopped cranberries
¾ cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup white chocolate chips 



Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350° F.

2.  Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.  Add to butter mixture.  Stir in the oats.  Fold in nuts, cranberries, and white chocolate chips.  

3.  Line a baker’s sheet pan with parchment paper.  For large cookies, use a ¼ cup (2oz) scoop, and place about 2” apart.

4.  Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are slightly browned.  Cool on wire racks.

Enjoy!  

The Made in America Matrix

We hear a lot from our customers about buying American made, especially since it's been in the news lately.  If you know anything about us, you know we do our best to provide American made products.  Dexter Russell is a line of professional cutlery that's been produced in Massachusetts since 1818.  Not only are they the oldest cutlery manufacturer in the U.S., but they are also the largest in the world.  Dexter is a name most Americans are more likely to associate with a cable series, but professionals in the food service industry (chefs, butchers, caterers) rely on Dexter knives for their quality, high-carbon steel, hand-ground and honed, ultra sharp blades, and comfortable, slip-resistant grips to provide for safety and tough use.

The only clam and oyster knives we sell are made by Dexter Russell.  While there are a multitude of over-seas manufactures who make those knives for half the price, we stubbornly refuse to sell them, even if it means we lose a sale when a customer refuses to pay for American made.

This summer, it became even more apparent how important buying American really is when we witnessed the interdependency of this one company with other Massachusetts companies.  We met 3 people who are all connected by Dexter Russell.  The first was a (handsome---sorry Joe, he was.) man from Poland who immigrated here a number of years ago.  He was vacationing with his family when he visited our shop and saw our display of Dexter knives and told us how he works for the company (another Massachusetts manufacturer) that fabricates the dies for Dexter knife handles.  (Those are the forms that the plastic is poured into to create the handle's shape.)

Not long ago, we met another customer who told us she actually designs the packaging for Dexter Russell.  She works for another Massachusetts company.  Just the other day, a gentleman who works as a butcher for Shaw's was down for the weekend, and told us how much he loves Dexter knives and wouldn't use anything else for his job.

So the moral of the story is, while we thought we were supporting American manufacturing,  EVEN we didn't realize to what extent.   By selling Dexter Russell knives we are promoting more than just one company and its employees, but many more local jobs are inter-connected.  When our customers listen to our spiel and decide to buy this Massachusetts made product, they are helping to support the jobs of many more than they probably realize.  Made in America!