Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Mango Oatmeal Cookies

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The act of defining oneself is an obsession of youth. When I was in high school, I wouldn't be caught dead in brown shoes. Mind you, they were a requirement of our uniform. Everyone morning, we would line up for assembly in our too short navy blue tartan skirts. Down the line, spindly legs ended in penny loafers and brown saddle shoes. Somewhere in all that order and propriety, I stood with my friends with my steel-toed Doc Martens. We all need to learn to take a stand and that was mine, inconsequential as it was. (Adulthood it seems to me is about shedding the need to assume xyz are the only things that make you cool.)

Recently, Belle has become increasingly verbal. She has explained many things about her life that I did not know: at school when they watch a movie, there is always popcorn; her sitter lets her do whatever she wants; and her grandfather's car is messy. She has also started telling me who she is. She is someone who wears pretty shoes, who wears pink dresses to birthday parties, and who does not like potatoes. Most importantly, she eats cookies. I don't actually mean Belle eats cookies; I mean she defines herself as a cookie eater. When introduced to strangers (donors at my work, her second-cousins, her doctor), she tells them, "Hello, I eat cookies." It is who she is, apparently. Of course, like all good mothers, I impede her abilities of self-definition. I have never actually given her a cookie. Graham crackers, cupcakes, sure. But cookies? I don't really like cookies and never even thought to give her one.

Children, of course, have plenty of influences. In my daughter's case, many of them, like my father, are bad ones. Clearly she has tasted and liked cookies somewhere. I wonder what that first taste was like. It must have really made an impact. Because, now, I have a little cookie monster on my hands.

Belle has been unsettled in the last few weeks as I have been fairly incapacitated. My mother thought making cookies with the two year old would lift her spirits. While the process was messy; it was fun. There were some tears when Belle realized the cookie batter needed to be baked before consumption. (Usually when I bake with her, I make vegan so she can taste the batter.) The result once baked was delicious (though I can't really consume lots of cookies right now.) My husband had two after dinner--apparently, he too eats cookies.

mango oatmeal cookies

Recipe
Mango Oatmeal Cookies


Cream:
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar

Mix in:
1 egg
2 T light brown sugar
1.5 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1 T baking powder
2 t cardamom powder
1 cup overripe mango, diced
2 t rose water
1/4 cup pistachios, roughly chopped
2 T yogurt (I used Mango Lime flavored but vanilla would be okay)

Fold in
1 1/2 cup rolled oats

Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes. Makes about 36 cookies.

mango oatmeal cookies

This is also my entry for Mango Mela held by Srivalli of Cooking 4 All Seasons.

12 comments:

OhioMom said...

I love this post, children really do define themselves don't they?

I will have to agree with Belle on cookies, the only way to eat them is with a glass of cold milk.

NKP said...

Mmm, I love the idea of mango in cookies.
Just wait until she is older.. the influences widen..
How would I know I was retarded if my children didn't tell me? Ah kids..

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Mango in cookie is a great idea. I never tried it before.

Chou said...

I like that your daughter, at two, defines herself partly through food. Many of us do, and fail to acknowledge it. :) Hooray for your mom!

Krystal said...

I will try to make these mango oatmeal cookies... It looks really delicious!!

Heidi Robb said...

Once they begin telling you who they are it doesn't stop, although the cues are not always so endearingly charming as your Belle.

These cookies have all of the flavors of my favorite ras malai - clever you are.

Sophie said...

It's good to have you back :)! I didn't know if you were still going to blog -- I hope you're feeling better. Your daughter sounds so cute! My grandmother didn't like me eating raw better either :).

Fran Z said...

What an cute story!

krysta said...

i love it... i used to introduce myself a krysta marie fortune cookie monster because really at that age that is the one that any one needs to know.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

True, kids today are even better at defining themselves and they get better with age! :D

I have a cookie teenager here, well sort of. Now she definitely has preferences when it comes to cookies now and sometimes tells me things like, Those are for kids, Amma!" :)

Mango in cookies I'm sure are great for kids and adults alike.

maybelles mom said...

OhioMom: thanks. and yes, the milk is a must.

Natashya: Funny and true.

Helene: definitely make it.

chou: I think you are right, food defines us. And, my mom does rock.

Krystal: Tell me how they turn out.

Heidi Robb: you are totally heads on--I was going exactly for that.

Sophie: thanks. good to be back.

Fran Z: thanks.

Krysta: thats adorable.

Aparna: Yours sounds like a character too. And, I agree these are for all ages.

TS of eatingclub vancouver said...

Actually, that does seem like a great way to introduce oneself. "Hello, I eat fruit with salt." =)