NUT TREE IN JANUARY

My girlfriend and I took my two little grand - "nuts" to the NUT TREE for the day. We had a great time. The Nut Tree is somewhat of a California 'icon' of sorts - especially in this area and it was shut down for a few years and re-opened in 2006. They have a wonderful farmers market there with a slough of local merchants. The kids amusement park was the main reason for our trip and the kids just loved it.













While we were there I picked up some items from the Farmer's Market. They had some wonderful whole wheat flour from locally grown wheat farms.

Here is a great recipe for TollHouse Chocolate Chip cookies made with whole wheat; I also used eggs from a locally grown source and local 'nuts'.

SERVINGS Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts, chopped

PREPARATION
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or cover with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cream the butter with the brown sugar until light in color, about 4 minutes. Beat in the egg until well incorporated. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend well. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and nuts.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Excerpted from Bob's Red Mill Baking Book by John Ettinger and Bob's Red Mill Family, © 2007, published by Running Press. All rights reserved.