cookies and books

Girls I find, in all matters of love, lust, and the melting of frozen hearts, are so often being told what to do. Don't over think it, just wait and see what happens, he'll call you if he's keen, don't over analyse, send the text, don't send the text, be brave, act mysterious. Urgh. Do this, don't do that - it can all be a bit overwhelming. I've found that regrouping, re-focussing and getting into the kitchen are all great things to do when trying to forget about something, or someone. Especially if, like an anonymous friend received recently, you've just received a shitty text declaring "whatever it is we're doing" is over because their ex-girlfriend is back in town (seriously? a text message? grow up.)

I also find that doing something social, with interesting and different people, is a great way to simply forget about anything that might be consuming your weary little head. When particularly heartbroken I gratefully found myself in two book clubs - one with books and one without, and they were essential to my post-heartbreak survival. Having spent last year buying the books but never quite making it to the meetups, I re-committed to Book Club 2012, and with great enthusiasm attended my first of the year last night.

Having always wanted to be part of a rooftop party, an unseasonally calm and sunny evening saw exactly that unfold. Cider, cheese and peanut slab cookies were the accompaniments to life downloads, summer stories and in-depth analysis of The Hunger Games. After we'd hilariously picked the book to pieces, complete with spoilers, I got yarning and story-telling to a friend, one of only two book clubbers I'd met before which made for a delightfully refreshing evening.

The stars came out along with the blankets and it was the perfect way to while away Wednesday. In a post work, post catch up beer, pre book club kitchen flurry, I made chocolate chunk cookies, with Whittaker's peanut slabs instead of chocolate chips. The house filled with smells of sugar, chocolate, peanuts and butter, and the cookies were great.

Peanut Slab Cookies 

these cookies are adapted from the Edmond's chocolate chip cookie recipe. They're chunkyish, with the perfect amount of soft crumbs and are made with Whittaker's Peanut Slabs cut into chunks

Beat together 125g softened butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tblsp golden syrup, 2 tblsp milk and 1tsp vanilla until soft and fluffy. 

Sift over 1 and a half cups of plain flour and 1tsp baking powder. Roughly chop 3 Whittaker's Peanut Slabs and add. Mix together with a wooden spoon and then your hands to form a damn tasty cookie dough. 

Roll balls of dough into balls and flatten however you wish. Place on a greased oven tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 12-15 minutes. 

Best enjoyed whilst wrapped in a blanket on a rooftop after in depth analysis of young adult fiction, sage advice and too much cheese.