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July 18, 2006
Cookie Monster
I have a thing for cookies. It's not a secret. I love cookies of just about any kind and shape. But hands down, my favorite is the chocolate chip cookie. One could say I have a rather heightened taste for the humble treat (others have called it a pathetic obsession), but I have my reasons.
I know that if you ask five different people what their favorite cookie is, you'll get 10 different answers that run the gamut from homemade to store-bought. Some might cast their vote for the snickerdoodle or the peanut butter cookie, perhaps a ginger snap or anything made by Pepperidge Farms or Mrs. Fields. Still, some might argue that the sugar cookie reigns supreme for its unmatched versatility as both a treat and a decoration for nearly every holiday on the calendar. Others might say it's the Oreo (that filling is brilliant). But me? The chocolate chip cookie is the best cookie that ever was, is or will be. Nothing can touch the genius of its simplicity. Simple dough. Chocolate chips. Bake. Cookie goodness.
I believe the perfect chocolate chip cookie is a model of happy mediums. It should be chewy, but a little crunchy around the edges. It should most definitely be sweet, but have a salty, buttery tingle. And it should always be packed with chips -- semisweet, of course, and preferably warm right from the oven. Gooey chocolate chips make my heart skip a beat. So, do the calories, but I like to pretend they don't have any. Don't rob me of my delusion. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the other two great tastes that taste great together: Chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream.
And that's what I'm focusing on today. Topping the list: The Pizookie at BJ's Brewhouse. Technically, this is a dessert, but this might be my favorite dessert of all time. BJ's makes a fantastic chocolate chip cookie in and of itself, and alone with a glass of milk it would be divine, but the brilliance of this dessert lies in its concept. They bake a cookie to order in a small tin and serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Oh. My. God. Yeah, BJ's serves it with other varieties of cookies. Pish posh. Order it with the chocolate chip cookie and you will have a chocolately gooey experience that rivals even the best ice cream sundae.
Summer is a great time for baseball fans. And my colleague, Tim Haddock, has already mentioned a favorite cookie/ice cream treat that I always get when I visit Dodger Stadium: The Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich. The Toll House cookie is never bad. This frozen treat doesn't skimp on the ice cream, and even though it can be a bit messy, who cares? Baseball, cookies and ice cream are a triple play combination. Try one before the season ends.
I have endeavored for many years to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie in my travels, whether bought from a fancy bakery, restaurant or cafe, or made from a giantic, sausage-shaped frozen lump from the supermarket. I am the Goldilocks, if you will, of the chocolate chip cookie, nevermind that I'm a brunette. Some chocolate chip cookies are too chewy. Some are too sweet. And some are just too soft and soggy. I have tasted all manner of chocolate chip cookie: some with nuts, some made with rolled oats. I've even tried them with fruit baked right in. (Horrible!) It's a daunting task to find one that is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream, but I aim to do just that. When I taste a good one, I'll let you know. If any of you have any suggestions or slam-dunk recipes, post them here! It's shameful to keep a good cookie find a secret from the masses. However, it is perfectly
acceptible not to share your perfect cookie with anyone else.
Posted by Sharon Kaplan at July 18, 2006 5:12 PM