Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

April 30: National Oatmeal Cookie Day

A batch of home-baked cookies never lasted long in Highlander’s household, where he grew up with three brothers and three sisters! Whenever Mum made classic oatmeal raisin cookies, they would quickly disappear, leaving some crumbs and seven children with satisfied smiles. Perhaps that is why the company, Quaker Oats, from which this blog recipe post is adapted, named their version “Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.” We feature this time-honored traditional treat for National Oatmeal Cookie Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Quaker Oats)

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• ½ cup sugar, granulated white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked
• 1 cup of raisins

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and ground cinnamon. Stir until well mixed. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the brown and white sugars. Stir in the vanilla and eggs. Gradually add the flour mixture until smooth. Mix in the oatmeal then the raisins to form a lumpy dough.

On a lightly greased baking sheet, scoop about a rounded teaspoonful of cookie dough about two-inches apart to allow for spreading.  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies start to flatten out and turn golden. Remove from the oven and cool for about a minute on the baking sheet before transferring the cookies to a wire rack. Cool completely. Yield: About 3 dozen.

Notes

• Oatmeal is a naturally healthy ingredient that may help lower cholesterol, control weight and boost immunity; can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain types of cancers; contains several vitamins, minerals and antioxidants; and is a good source of complex carbohydrates, iron and protein.
• See more blog recipe posts with oatmeal as an ingredient in January, National Oatmeal Month, and on December 19, Oatmeal Muffin Day.

Shrimp Scampi

April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day

Shrimp scampi is one of Islander’s favorite foods! Every time she visits her parents back in Hawaii, her Daddy lovingly prepares this homecoming meal using fresh, succulent black tiger shrimp; calamansi (Philippine lemoncito) from the tree in the backyard; and a dash of Chinese five-spice powder for a unique twist to the classic recipe. On one of her visits home, she photo-documented her Daddy in the kitchen cooking this nostalgic dish for an especially meaningful blog recipe post for National Shrimp Scampi Day.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 dozen black tiger or jumbo shrimp
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon calamansi or fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• dash pepper
• dash garlic powder (or granulated garlic)
• dash Chinese five-spice powder (optional)

Directions

Wash, peel and devein the shrimp. Slit the back halfway toward the tail end of each shrimp. Set aside. Slowly melt the butter in a large pan on the stovetop. Pour the olive oil into the butter. Add the minced garlic.

Squeeze the calamansi or lemon juice in a strainer over the garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder and Chinese five-spice powder. Stir everything well. Arrange the shrimp in the pan with the slit side down. Cook the shrimp until they are evenly colored (orange). Transfer the shrimp onto a platter. Pour the sauce over the shrimp. Serve hot with rice or pasta.

Steak San Marco

April 25: Feast Day of St. Mark

When we were vacationing in Venice, we happened to be there on April 25, the Feast Day of St. Mark, the patron saint of the city.  At St. Mark’s Basilica, where the saint’s relics are housed, a special high mass was celebrated. At St. Mark’s Square, there was a marching band parading its way through the crowd of tourists and pigeons. Throughout this ultra-romantic city, we saw Venetian men traditionally presenting a bòcolo (red rosebud) to the women (mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, etc.) they love.

Another way to express love is to cook a special meal for someone—à la Steak San Marco!

Recipe

(Adapted from Recipe Zaar)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chuck steaks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 16-ounce can of peeled Italian tomatoes
• 1 envelope onion soup mix (Lipton’s brand)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

Sear the steaks in oil in a skillet until both sides are browned (optional). Transfer the steaks to the bottom of a slow cooker. Layer the rest of the ingredients, cover and cook for two hours or until the meat is tender.  Discard the garlic and bay leaf. Put the steaks on a plate and top with their juices and tomato pieces. Garnish with fresh oregano or parsley.

Notes

• For a stew-like dish, cut the chuck steaks into pieces.
• Thanks to the G4 Family for gifting us with a slow cooker for Christmas.