"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives." - Albert Einstein

The first bite into a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with the oozing gooeyness of the melted chocolate blurs all surrounding, endulging in the present moment of such ecstasy. Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, but there is something very special and eveloping about fresh-from-the-oven-in-melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies. The air of deliciously scented warmth leads to reminiscing about childood and is as comforting as the warm blanket your mother wrapped you up in.

I've learned not to take this simply classic creation for granted. While in Costa Rica, I had my mother send a package full of cooking ingredients that were not easily found and took requests from mami. Always on the top of her list were dried cherries and. . .Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chips. It was such a treat to be able to make Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies and sometimes added dried cherries for an extra indulgence. I wanted to bring the happiness felt by mami as she prepared and tasted the cookies to the children with whom I worked at the orphanage. I volunteered weekly at a local Costa Rican orphanage, not far from the University campus, where I played with the children and would often put together small projects that got the children involved, working together and allowed me to give individual attention that was so lacking in their lives. My most memorable experience was baking with these beautiful children. It was a challenging endeavor, but extremely rewarding to see the children so engaged and feeling like it was a special treat. One day I brought in supplies for decorating sugar cookies and also for baking chocolate chip cookies. Amidst the messiness, there was so much joy in their eyes and smiles. It was such a treat for them and for me to give them the opporunity to personally create something, allowing them to have control over their outcome. They were also forced to learn to share and have patience while working together to prepare the cookies. The fun we all had, forgetting about any sadness or worries for those moments, was worth the heavy clean up I so graciously volunteered to do this time.

Since the classic chocolate chip cookie is evidently so special to me, it was important to find THE best recipe that I could forever have as a staple in the collection. I finally found a keeper!

"The" Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tbsp vanilla

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Sift dry ingredients

Cream butter and sugars
Beat in vanilla and eggs until light and creamy

Mix in dry ingredients
Stir in chocolate chips
Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time 3 inches apart
Bake 15-17 minutes until edges are lightly toasted

Serving suggestions: Fresh from the oven with a glass of (soy)milk