Some Riot, Others Bake

I was hoping to write about the triumphant win of the Vancouver Canucks over the Boston Bruins in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, but alas, the Bruins won,  4-0. The Canucks had more shots on net than the Bruins, but Boston's goaltender Tim Thomas is freaking amazing. (Also there were a lot of shots off the post.)

I was embarrassed when Game 7 ended in a shutout (ie; one team prevents the other from scoring), but not nearly as embarrassed as I came to be in the aftermath. Some people are ruining the end of the playoffs for everyone. Some people are rioting in downtown Vancouver.

As most of you know I'm a proud Canadian, but this breaks my heart. I want to disassociate myself from these hooligans. I want to assure you that we aren't all like this. Yes, we love our hockey, at least as much as Australians love footy and cricket and the Melbourne Cup. But most of us understand that it is sport. It is not something both teams can win. It is something to get excited for, be passionate about, make some noise over. It is not worth a riot. Hopefully those idiots responsible will be identified, arrested, and fined for the damages.


As for me, I was sad, so I commiserated with some friends online, then went into the kitchen. I pulled out Craisins and white chocolate chips, and set out to make Canadiana Choc Chip Cookies.

note: you can see baking powder in the pic, but don't use any! Only baking soda.

1 C butter or margarine, softened
Scant 3/4 C white sugar
Packed 3/4 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla




Combine the above ingredients until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift together:

1 1/2 C whole wheat or plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C oatmeal
1 C chocolate chips
1/2 C toasted walnuts and/or Craisins


Combine the dry ingredients with the wet, a little at a time. Because of the oatmeal the dough won't stick together as much as a basic choc chip recipe, but don't worry - they'll work.

This recipe turns out better as large cookies, though, so use about 3 tablespoons of dough for each one. Bake on trays, about 6 to a sheet (they spread out!) for 10-12 mins at 190 C. I used parchment paper. If you're in Canada or the US, your oven is probably larger and you can fit 8 to a sheet, and bake at 375 F.


If using two trays at once, rotate on the racks halfway through baking. Take them out when the edges are brown but the middle is still soft. Serve with milk or a cup of tea.