Tuesday night was all about Tracy...and "The Tracy", the Dark Chocolate Orange Cookie she asked me to create. I met Tracy a couple of months ago at the Lake Mary Farmers' Market and we became fast Facebook friends. It turned out she loved my cookies, but was unable to get a regular fix because she calls Rochester, New York home. Tracy has been shuttling back and forth between New York and Orlando every few weeks. No...not to get a cookie fix, but for something far more important. She is helping her mom through kidney dialysis treatment. To help ease the stress, she orders cookies each time she comes to town. And not just any cookie...she likes to challenge me. I love challenges and when Tracy asked for a Dark Chocolate Orange Cookie, I was ready. The cookie began with my favorite dark chocolate base. To it, I added bittersweet chocolate chips, a container of candied orange peel leftover from the holidays, a little orange zest and blood orange juice from the McCullough's tree and orange extract for good measure. The smell as this cookie baked was more intoxicating than any I have ever made. I was afraid the flavor profile wouldn't appeal to many, but that was OK. It just had to appeal to Tracy. Funny thing happened...it appealed to Tracy and almost everyone else that tried it. It rapidly has become one of my signature cookies. "The Tracy" is a really good thing. Thanks Tracy, for your inspiration.
Tonight was a really good night. Ryan cooked for me, my mom and my brother. He set the table, cleaned the house and even cleaned the kitchen afterward. I definitely could get used to this. Ryan made Chicken Marsala with lots of mushrooms, wild rice and Caesar salad. My mom brought homemade banana pudding. The evening was filled with sweet smells emanating from my kitchen that for a change had absolutely nothing to do with cookies. The conversation was great, the wine excellent, my belly full and my heart happy. Like I said...it was a really good night.
Many hugs,
Kathy
No comments:
Post a Comment