friday 5: excuses to throw one last bbq

summer is nearly over. i can smell it in the air & there is a distinct color change currently going on. i know, i know, people always say that california doesn't "do" the change of seasons, but i'm to tell you they are all wrong. although our leaves might not change colors as the fall approaches, there is definitely a change of lighting. call me crazy, but i strongly believe that fall in california has it's own look, it's own color of sunshine if you will. a little more amber with that autumn golden glow. anyway, with the days getting shorter, & the kids back in school, before we know it - halloween will be here & summer officially over. i guess now's the time to get in one last bbq, one last summer celebration. so here are five tasty dishes you can serve at your "goodbye summer" celebration...

1. sizzling country ribs & patio beans: so you're getting two for the price of one today. these are two absolute staples at all of our family bbqs. both are my mom's secret recipes (don't tell her i spilled the beans) & are often requested by both friends and family.

2. spinach tortellini salad: delicious & oh! so pretty to look at. plus, it's one of the few salads that you can actually eat the leftovers - no wilting, you gotta love that!

3. corn & black bean salsa: what's a bbq without the chips & dip? this salsa will ensure that all your chips get eaten. but don't worry, when the chips are all gone, you can keep eating the salsa with your fork as a side dish - it's that good, you won't be able to get enough.

4. cheese bread: don't be scared off by the combination of mayonnaise or worcestershire sauce, i promise it's good.... in that fattening, good thing it's the last bbq of summer kinda way.

5. big, fat & chewy chocolate chip cookies: on their own, they are absolute perfection. but pair with some ice cream & some homemade hot fudge? oh la la! perfection!

hope i've inspired you light up the grill at least one more time this summer!

big, fat, chewy chocolate chip cookies

my girlfriend "c" had been raving, non-stop, about her favorite new cookie recipe. when i realized she was baking up a batch nearly every single day, i decided i needed to whip some up for myself, & they definitely did not disappoint. if you want a cookie that is big, fat & chewy, just like something you'd buy at a fancy bakery, then this cookie is for you.

big, fat, chewy chocolate chip cookies
ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour, "c" suggests you do 1 1/1 cups all-purpose flour & 1/2 cup whole wheat or oat flour (for oat flour simply grind up oatmeal in your blender)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, MELTED
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tb. vanilla extract
1 egg (room temperature)
1 egg yolk (room temperature)
2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

directions:
1. sift together the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl & set aside
2. in a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended.
3. beat in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until light and creamy.
4. mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended.
5. stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon.
6. chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 45-2 hours (to counteract the melted butter)
6. preheat oven to 325 degrees
7. drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto cookies sheet, cookie sheet should be 3 inches apart (i did 9 cookies per pan)
8. bake for 13-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown. this is the key! they might still seem gooey in the middle, but just let them cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them & they will be perfect. (trust me, i'm speaking from experience, i overcooked my first batch.)

makes 18-20 cookies

now grab a big glass of milk & enjoy. oh! & you might want to double the recipe, because they go fast!