The Forum cup runneth over. Again!
In a July 31 column, a reader I referred to as “our silver-haired sweetie’’ told us, “I need a favor. There used to be a Dr. Cookie cookie recipe quite a few years ago, probably in the 1980s. They were healthy cookies.
“We are residents at an assisted living facility, and we need a good nutritious recipe. I’m an 85-year-old, white-haired lady who needs help. All of us are over at least 80 years or so, and many of us use walkers and wheelchairs. We need a good healthy cookie!’’
The minute Forum cooks read this plea, they shifted into high gear. Five immediately snail-mailed and e-mailed, supplying info and eight cookie recipes.
Meanwhile, two additional problem-solvers also were swinging into action.
Sharon Scott of Lake Stevens e-mailed, “I saw your SOS for a Dr. Cookie recipe. You should be receiving a copy of the Dr. Cookie recipe book in the mail. Hope this helps. Not sure which recipe the reader saw in The Herald before, but this book has several that are healthy.”
And longtime helper-outer, Marysville cook and cookbook author Dianne Berst also e-mailed to say, “Hmmm. I was intrigued by the lovely silver-haired ladies wanting a healthy cookie recipe from Dr. Cookie. I remembered him as Dr. Stephen Yarnall from Edmonds.
“Internet research led me to his cookbook, ‘Dr. Cookie Cookbook,’ and I chose the used books which sell for as little as $1.36, plus shipping. A good addition to my cookbook collection. And, what the heck, I ordered two books and will send one copy of the lovely ladies.”
So, a copy from Dianne will be on its way to our silver-haired gals shortly, and we’ll be diving into recipes from Sharon’s cookbook in future Forums from time to time. Thanks, gals!
Incidentally, it’s a great book — cram-jammed with not just cookie recipes, but brownies, cakes (how does chocolate decadence with raspberry sauce grab you?), pies and tarts, fruit desserts, muffins and biscuits, quick breads and yeast breads, too. And all are low fat!
Since our silver-haired contingent asked specifically for a “healthy cookie,” let’s start with one of those, thanks to Steven Wedell of Seattle.
“My mother, Joan Wedell of Edmonds, saw your column with the SOS,” he writes, “and owns a ‘Dr. Cookie’s Cookbook.’ She spent several months earlier this year in a skilled nursing facility recovering from a fall, so her heart especially went out to the other reader. She asked that I forward the following information to you to share.”
He mentions Amazon.com as a source for the used books, and says, “I hope this is helpful. Thanks very much for your column. I know my mother enjoys it very much.”
Steven says his mother also very much likes this recipe from the book:
Dr. Cookie’s oatmeal raisin cookies
1cup unbleached flour
3/4teaspoon baking soda
1/2teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2teaspoon nutmeg
1teaspoon cinnamon
3/4cup corn oil margarine
1 1/4cups brown sugar
2eggs
1teaspoon vanilla
2cups rolled oats
1cup raisins
Sift together flour, soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in oats and raisins. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.
Makes about 3 1/2 to 4 dozen.
The next Forum will appear in Wednesday’s Good Life section.
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