Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe for Oatmeal Cookies was on the inside lid of the Quaker Oat's cardboard, cylindrical container. I tried making them and they were the sweetest, moistest cookies I'd ever had. I hope you enjoy them too!

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups Quaker Oats
1 cup raisins
1 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Heat oven to 350 F
2. In a big bowl mix butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium until creamy
3. Add eggs and vanilla to mixture and beat well
4. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl. Mix well, then add to the other ingredients
5. Add oats and raisins and mix well
6. Drop tablespoons of dough on ungreased cookie sheets
7. Bake 8- 10 minutes until light golden brown
8. Cool a minute then cover cookies in container

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

Challah French Toast

A couple of years ago, we visited New Orleans. My sister-in-law, Lisa, lives there. When asked for a good place to have breakfast, she recommended a place that served the "best challah French toast." So we went. It was fantastic! I can't believe I waited this long to try to recreate the dish. We found our challah (pronounced hall-ah) at Central Market, but Carshon's Deli also sells it. So when you are in the mood for a decadent breakfast or brunch or want to impress your friends, try this recipe.

Challah bread
eggs
milk
butter
syrup
orange juice
chopped pecans

Directions: Cut the challah bread into 1 inch slices. To make two servings (2 slices per person) we used 2 eggs and about a tablespoon of milk. Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. Butter the skillet. When the skillet is hot, dip the bread into the egg mixture. Cook until golden brown on both sides. In another bowl, mix 4 parts syrup with 1 part orange juice. Add pecans and microwave for about 20 seconds. Pour over challah French toast and serve.