It’s Tuesday and I’m spending it in Antigua!  Lets just say it is a whole new world over here, simply gorgeous.  It is hard to believe how time flies when you are busy and having fun.  I just landed here yesterday and I will be gone again tomorrow… but oh well.  It is a nice place to visit and enjoy the views.  I am staying at the Buccaneer Beach Club which is very nice to say the least.  I have my own little villa which you can see below and I am about 17 steps to the beach.  That is tough to beat.  I posted some pics at the end of the post for you to see… now on to some great cookies.

As with yesterday’s fatayer I wanted to focus on baked goods this week.  With that being said, I have a fun simple cookie that you will love – a versatile peanut butter cookie.  Whether you want a crunch, a soft chewy texture, chocolate or butterscotch chips, this cookie can handle it.  Next time you are in the mood for a homemade cookie, I suggest you try these.

To compliment the salty flavor from the peanut butter, you can try adding a handful or two of chocolate in any form or even butterscotch.  Let me know what you think of these peanut butter cookies.

Ingredients

• 3/4 Cup peanut butter
• 1/2 Cup shortening (chilled)
• 1 1/4 Cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 Egg
• 3 Tbsp.  milk
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1 3/4 Cups white all purpose flour
• 3/4 Tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 Tsp. salt

Method

1. Preheat Oven to 375 F.
2. Cream peanut butter, shortening, brown sugar, egg, milk and vanilla in a large bowl at medium speed until smooth and creamy.
3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt.  Add to creamed mixture above slowly and beat at low speed until mixed thoroughly.
4. Drop from a spoon onto non greased baking sheets.
5. I pushed down with a fork to ensure the crispy texture.
6. Bake at 375 F for 8 minutes until set and lightly brown.  These are very similar to the chewy chocolate chip cookies for me as I take them out when they just start to brown as I don’t want them to dry out and become crumby.
7. Cool slightly and set on cooling rack.



8. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: If you want your cookies to have a crunch, push them down with a fork like these ones.  They will firm up quicker and offer the great texture you come to expect in a homemade peanut butter cookie.  If you want them softer and chewier, drop them from a spoon, use creamy peanut butter but forget pressing them down.

Since we’re finished with the recipe, I figure that you might be curious about my trip to Antigua.  I’ve included some pictures below.

Zesty in Antigua

A view to die for

Does it get any better than this?

The walkway to my Villa and down to the beach

Outside the Villa

Outside the Villa... Again

Inside the Villa

Question of the day? What is your favorite drink with a fresh baked homemade cookie?  Is it milk?  or tea?

Have a great day today and I hope this lightened your day and made you smile.

Take care

Zesty

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I decided this week that as part of my weekly posts I am going to feature a new item I buy at the grocery store.  I will give you a little description of what the item is as well as nutrional information and also add a picture so you can try it out if you are interested.

The first item on zesty’s grocery find is a snack cookie.  Not just any snack cookie -  but Praeventia cookies.  These are little cookies that come in two different flavours: Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa and Zest of Orange with Green Tea Extract.  I purchased the chocolate ones to give them a try.  I must say they are pretty tasty and after doing some research they are actually quite good for you as well.

Praeventia cookies are made from carefully chosen ingredients whose health benefits have been scientifically recognized.What sets Praeventia cookies apart is that they contain inulin (a prebiotic).What’s more, the cookies are low in saturated fats and contain no trans fat. It is widely acknowledged that a balanced diet that is low is saturated and trans fats can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular (heart) disease.

The product also contains a high proportion of wholegrain oats, which are a soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol—and keep hearts healthy. Seventy percent cocoa dark chocolate has also been added to some varieties.

It contains antioxidants, the health benefits of which are now obvious.One pouch provides 3 to 4 g of fiber, making it a source of dietary fiber that not only offers health benefits, but also helps you feel full when it is eaten as a snack (helping control your urges between meal times).

Now with all these being said…. you would think they would taste awful because they are so healthy… right? Well you should try them for yourself. I don’t mind them and they are a great pick me up in the mid afternoon when you need a little shot of energy.

Stay tuned for next weeks installment of Zesty’s visit to the grocery store.

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