Neiman Marcus Cookies

Urban legend tells that a woman and her friend had lunch at a Neiman Marcus department store. Along with lunch they had chocolate chip cookies that they loved. When they asked the waiter for the recipe, he replied that they could buy it. There was some misunderstanding when he stated the price, and what they thought was a reasonable price turned out to be very unreasonable. So, legend states that the angry women whom Neiman Marcus refused to refund since they already possessed the recipe determined to spread the recipe to as many people as possible. Here's the supposed recipe:

"Neiman Marcus Cookies"

2 c butter

2 c sugar

2 c brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

5 c blended oatmeal (pre-measured then processed in blender)

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

4 c flour

24 oz chocolate chips

1 8-oz Hershey bar, grated

3 c chopped nuts

Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. In separate bowl, mix oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Add to wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts, and Hershey bar. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 375. Makes a LARGE batch of cookies--over 100, but can be halved.

***So, I never knew if this myth was true until recently. I was perusing the cookbook section of the library and saw "The Neiman Marcus Cookbook". Suddenly curious, I looked up chocolate chip cookies. The book briefly retold the legend, then said it was absolutely not true and they weren't sure who started it! However, in response to the myth, their chef developed a chocolate chip cookie recipe, which we tried last night (pictured above). Here it is:

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c butter

1 c brown sugar

3 T granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 c flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 tsp espresso powder (I left this out)

Cream butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl, then add to wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and espresso powder if desired. Roll into balls, place on greased cookie sheet, and bake at 350 for about 12 minutes.

***Well, interestingly enough, of the two recipes we much prefer the "fake" Neiman Marcus cookies. Who developed it and why the legend to go along with it? Who knows!

Frozen Foods--A Fiasco?

So, I went out of town recently and since my hubby couldn't come I stocked the fridge, freezer, and cupboards with easy meal ideas so he wouldn't feel too neglected.
One new thing I found: this Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Breast Fillets. It seemed healthy and tasty.
As usual, I overstocked and he didn't use this, so when I got back I thought, great--easy meal! I cooked them up with some veggies and potatoes for Sunday dinner. YIKES!
I just have decided that buying pre-prepared frozen food is just not worth it. These chicken breast fillets were just NASTY. I ate mine, feeling guilty about wasting it, but it just wasn't good. They apparently add some kind of flavoring to make it taste like it has been grilled. Yuck Yuck Yuck. I don't even know what to do with the rest of the package. I've been similarly disappointed in other frozen foods. I bought some frozen stir fry meals with veggies and meat when we were moving last summer and I was looking for some quick, easy meals in my disassembled kitchen. They were equally NASTY.
Also:
I bought some Eggo waffles while we were moving, hoping to give my kids a change from cereal and toast. Never again. These were not worth buying or eating. I don't understand how so many Americans love these, never mind the commercials of my childhood implying they are worth fighting over. I guess that processed taste is just impossible to mask.
I guess I'm just spoiled to have time to make my own waffles (I really think it's worth the extra 10 minutes in the kitchen to whip up your own homemade waffles, and it's probably a lot healthier, too).
I was a little shocked to see now that they have frozen pancakes available. How do you freeze a pancake and have it remain good?

I was even recently disappointed in these Pilgrims Pride frozen chicken wings. I was having a group of people over for the Super Bowl and wanted to make a bunch of hot wings. These were a bargain over the fresh chicken wings. Now I know why--these were just not meaty or flavorful.


So, now a couple of SAFE frozen food bets (at least from my own experience!):
Pilgrims Pride frozen chicken breasts. Not as good as the Kirkland brand frozen chicken from Costco, but since I don't have a Costco within 4 hours of me, I have to buy these and they're not too bad. I discovered long ago that frozen chicken actually beats fresh a lot of times when you're just buying boneless, skinless breasts. Many times the fresh in stores are tough and can be dry. The frozen ones are injected with a little extra water (and sometimes salt) so they freeze well, which actually helps them to stay tender. They're also usually cheaper than fresh.

I also like the Birds Eye frozen corn and peas, they are definitely worth spending a little extra for above the store-brand price, they are usually very flavorful and taste fresh.

And finally, our frozen food of choice: Vanilla Ice Cream. Whatever brand might be on sale at the moment. We're not terribly picky (although we don't buy off-brand). Good luck shoppers!