Quick & Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Who doesn't love a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies? But making a homemade batch can be time consuming and extensive. Here is a quick and easy recipe for a small batch of cookies that can be made up in just a few minutes.


1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees if making cookie bars – 375 degrees if making cookies.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the melted butter, sugar, and molasses.
Add the egg and vanilla, mix well.
Add the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt, mix well.
Mix in the chocolate chips.

For cookie Bars: Spread in a greased 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

For cookies: Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

White Bean Soup

White Bean Soup with Kale and Sausage


32 oz cooked white beans (navy or cannellini work well)
1 large head kale or mustard greens
1/2 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild), casings removed
1 shallot, finely chopped 1 rib celery, finely chopped
1 T olive oil (or bacon grease, if you have that lying around)
Water or stock

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, brown the sausage in the oil. When the sausage is nearly cooked through, add the celery and shallot, stirring to coat with the oil. Add a pinch of salt and sweat the vegetables until they are crisp-tender.
2. Add beans, kale, and water (if you reserve the cooking liquid from your beans, through that in, too) to cover, about 2 quarts.
3. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

From Cottage Industrialist