Spencer's Oatmeal Cookies

On the day that I moved into my first very own apartment, my brother woke up early and baked these special oatmeal cookies for me as a house warming present.  It was such a thoughtful gesture.  They are by far the most delicious cookies I've tasted in a long time.  

At first, they're chewy and soft.  If you let them sit for a day though, they become crunchy like biscotti, except that these are actually edible; either way, they’re scrumptious!  I've changed the recipe slightly here to include brown sugar and dried cranberries.  Thanks for the great recipe, Spence!

Spencer's Oatmeal Cookies

1 C. softened butter

1 C. brown sugar

1 C. white sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 T. molasses

1 t. salt

2 t. cinnamon

2 eggs

2 C. flour

1 1/2 t baking soda

2 C. quick oats (you could use Spelt too)

1 C. dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350. 

In a large bowl, thoroughly beat the butter and sugar.  Add the next four ingredients and beat again until smooth.  Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until they are completely mixed into the batter.  Sift in the flour and baking soda.  When combined, fold in the oats and cranberries.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until cookies are thin and golden.  Allow them to cool on a rack.

Mom's Meatloaf

I think every man has at least one dish that his mom makes that he can’t live without.  This one’s mine.  This was my favorite Sunday meal growing up.  I remember being a child, walking inside from a day of winter sledding, peeling off my layers of snow clothes, cheeks all rosy, and sitting down to a meal of my mom’s meatloaf and potatoes.  I don’t think there’s much left in this world as real, unpretentious and wonderfully abiding. 

It’s light and dense at the same time, filled with concentrated tomato and smothered in caramel ketchup, bacon and bruléed onions.  Serve this on a cold day with roasted vegetables and horseradish potatoes for some hands-down, hug me hard, wrapped in a blanket, delicious comfort food.

Mom's Meatloaf

2 lbs lean ground beef

¾ Onion, finely diced

¼ Onion, in rings

1 Egg

½ C. bread crumbs

2 Cloves of garlic, minced

1 Can tomato soup

¼ C. Ketchup

2 T. Brown sugar

Bacon

Preheat the oven to 350.  Combine the beef, diced onions, egg, bread crumbs, garlic and tomato soup in a large bowl, mixing with your hands until it is thoroughly combined.   Form the mixture into a large loaf and place in a large baking dish. 

In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup and the brown sugar.  Smear this sauce on top of the meatloaf.  Add the onion rings and top with a single layer of uncooked bacon.  Bake until the meatloaf is cooked through, about 1 hour.  Serve with roasted veggies, your favorite potatoes and extra ketchup. 

*Thank you to Morgan Webb who suggested meatloaf sandwiches.  Each time I make mom’s meatloaf, I’m sure to reserve a few slices for the next day.  Come back to Natural Sugar tomorrow for a killer meatloaf sandwich.  

BONUS Recipe:  Oven Roasted Veggies

You can't go wrong with this side dish.  It's classic, rustic and it seriously couldn't be easier!  Use your favorite veggies or whatever you have in the fridge.

Your favorite veggies, roughly chopped (I use potatoes, onion, carrots & something green)

Olive oil

Salt & Pepper

Your favorite dried herbs (I like thyme or herbs de provence)

Preheat the oven to 375.  

Add all of the chopped veggies to a big bowl.  Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs.  Toss them so they are all evenly covered in flavor.  Dump them onto a baking sheet and spread them into an even layer.  Bake for 30-45 minutes, turning once or twice, until they are beautifully roasted.  

RR :: Wing Hing

There are very few things in this world that truly never change.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Whether it’s the ice cream shop that continually exchanges their flavors, the necessity of upgrading your vehicle even though you hate to part with your trusty old one, to even noticing the changes in your own personality and preferences throughout the years.  Change is omnipresent.  It can be good or bad, but it’s everywhere. 

Well, I’ve found something that has not changed in 10 years and I’m confident that it never will.  Let me introduce you to my THE BEST hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant, Wing Hing!

My family discovered this jewel of a restaurant in 2002 when we moved from Illinois to Arizona.  It’s located in a strip mall (as some of the best Chinese-American restaurants are) and it’s the best deal in town.  Hands down.  When I was in high school, and making pennies at my part time job, my friends and I thrived off of Wing Hing.  Recently, I've been there a couple times a month.  Their lunch combo is $4.95 and this is what you get: 

Wanton chips with sweet and sour sauce & Chinese mustard

Choice of soup:  Hot and Sour or Egg Drop

Rice

2 Wantons

1 Eggroll

Your main entrée

Fortune Cookie

All for $4.95!  It can’t be beat!  And the food comes out quickly too.  You never have to wait long. 

One of the best things about eating at Wing Hing is Tam, the owner.  She is cute and friendly and has treated my family incredibly well over the last 10 years.  She’ll treat you well too because her restaurant is her pride and joy.  Her son Willie Chang is great too and he’ll refill your water glass a million times.  Tam has my order and my brother’s order memorized, which makes us feel all the more welcome in her restaurant. 

My favorite dish that Tam makes is Orange Chicken.  It is crunchy and sweet and spicy and garlicky all at the same time.  Forget about that candied Orange Chicken that you get at Panda Express.  This is ever so much better.  There’s always so much of it that I have leftovers too!

I’ve eaten here for 10 years and I can’t imagine Wing Hing changing.  Or, having to find another Chinese restaurant.  Whenever I eat at another one, I always compare it to Wing Hing and it never matches up.  I encourage you to pay a visit to Tam, to try the Orange Chicken and the treasure of Wing Hing.  

                                     Wing Hing

                                     7420 W Cactus Rd

                                     Peoria, AZ 85381

                                     (623) 561-8338



P.S. - I've been trying to get Tam's recipe for 10 years and she's still not talking :)

Harley's Italian Bistro

Recently, my friend Kelsey, and Sean and I went to a brilliant Italian restaurant called Harley’s Italian Bistro.  We had a great dinner before visiting several art galleries for First Friday.  The restaurant was quaint and comfortable with bold colors and uhhhh-mazing food!  The servers and owners are friendly and welcoming and provide a fabulous dining experience.  I particularly liked the mason jars full of fresh herbs throughout the restaurant that gave the decor a charming, 'home-grown' touch.  

For dinner, I ordered bowtie pasta with disks of sweet Italian sausage, topped with mushrooms, onion and red peppers drenched in a luscious and creamy Gorgonzola vodka sauce.  The sausage had great flavor, the veggies were fresh and wonderfully caramelized.  And the sauce was so heavenly that I've actually dreamt about it since tasting it.  Light and rich at the same time, and so completely infused with Gorgonzola, I couldn't have asked for anything more!

I loved it so much, I convinced Sean to take me again this weekend.  This time, we went for Sunday Brunch.  We had bottomless mimosas, a unique and scrumptious breakfast pizza and an Italian sformato, or tart, with brie, spinach and prosciutto.  We even ordered dessert!  I don't think I've ever ordered dessert after breakfast, but I'm going to do it all the time now.  I had been promised that Harley's version of Tiramisu was incomparable, and I have to say, it was pretty damn good!  I'd have another slice right now if I could.  

Harley's Italian Bistro is owned by three friends and they do a great job of creating a beautiful atmosphere, with truly impressive Italian food.  I thoroughly enjoyed both of our meals and experiences here and I’m dying to go back!  It might become our weekly remedy.  You’ll have to try this Italian gem for yourself and let us know what you think! 

Harley's Italian Bistro

4211 N. 7th Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85013

(602) 243-0333

   www.harleysitalianbistro.com