One of the difficulties of planning this trip for next year is trying to imagine living out of a backpack. It's really true that people- including me- have too much stuff these days. I wouldn't quite consider myself a pack-rat, but I definitely like to hold on to things for memory's sake or because "oh, I might want this someday." It's time to simplify. I feel like we tend to measure our lives by our stuff and what we own. If that is the case, my life is about to become a lot smaller and more compact.
In reality, however, I'm pretty sure my life is about to get even bigger and more exciting. You would think.
I want to measure my time in experiences, not in material things. Seems like an obvious goal, but it's easier said than done.
Speaking of simplifying, these cookies are possibly some of the simplest little treats I have ever made. One bowl, one baking sheet, one batch of melted chocolate and you are good to go. Simply delicious.
Coconut & Pecan Macaroons
makes one dozen cookies
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 tbsp coconut milk
1. Preheat your oven to 350ยบ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, syrup, flax seeds, coconut milk and salt until smooth. Mix in the coconut, pecans and flour. Roll the dough into 1" wide balls and flatten them onto the cookie sheet. Bake for about 12-15 minutes.
3. While the cookies bake, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a low flame on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. Add in the coconut milk and whisk until smooth. Let the macaroons cool for about 10 minutes, then one by one dip the cookies in chocolate, just coating half of the top.
4. Place each cookie back on the sheet and refrigerate for at least 2 hours so that the chocolate can set. If you can't wait that long, go ahead and eat a cookie or two and ignore the gooey chocolate mess. It's totally worth it.
I love the idea of measuring one's life by experiences rather than material goods. Well said. Time for me to simplify too and this is inspiring-- as is this recipe. Yum!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I would definitely not mind a handful of these with my afternoon tea! They're obviously a far cry from the typical "condensed milk + sweetened coconut" concoctions. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! Much healthier and although the taste isn't identical, they are still delicious!
DeleteOh my goodness -- these look SO good! :)
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged about simplifying too! I'm moving from a house into a loft and have sold off more than half of what I own this month, and it feels AMAZING. We need so much less stuff than we think!
Thanks, Ali! It's so true- downsizing always feels refreshing.
DeleteSimplifying is tough--I can't imagine paring down to one pack! But I could whittle down to that recipe--love the pecans in the macaroons especially!
ReplyDeleteI know, I don't even know where to be begin! And thanks! The pecans make them extra crunchy and yummy :)
DeleteThese look delicious! Did you use the coconut milk from a can or the kind sold next to the soy milk?
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I used light coconut milk out of a can. Not too fatty, but thicker than from a carton. You could try it with the other kind, but I think the creaminess helps to bind the other ingredients better.
DeleteI'm in the middle of paring things down myself. But there's always room for some of those macaroons. :-) They look incredible! and simple enough for even me to make.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Always leave room for cookies, that's my motto.
DeleteMmmmm simple is super good - I too tend to hokd onto items that I think I may want, but when i do decide to let one of the items I have been hanging onto I feel so much better, I know for sure these yummies wouldn't last long!
ReplyDeleteIt's true! Sometimes letting go is the best. In this case getting rid of all the cookies... by eating them. :)
DeleteI am reading the recipe and thinking hey where is the condensed milk? Then read other comments and realize there isn't any. Very nice! I can't stand the sweetness of condensed milk so what a nice surprise. Can't wait to try my own batch. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNo problem! Being vegan, I would never even consider putting condensed milk in anything :)
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