♥

this one is about love in all its forms.

love is like a cookie, i guess. it comes in many forms. sometimes it's sweet. sometimes it's too sweet. sometimes it's lemon-glazed, as if the lemons life handed you were squeezed too harshly. sometimes it's buttery, smooth, and on occasion, spicy and alluring for fun.

love is what we give, like ice cream tastings and chai parties and chats with new friends we meet in random places.

love is what we take, too, like dinners made by my friend's mom, or presents from far-away lands from tourist acquaintances.

this valentine's, moreso than others, love is about being proud of accomplishments, determination, tenacity, hard work, and discipline.

and at its best, love is simply kindness, to those who didn't kick us when we were down and to those who know we are our best, even when we do not believe so ourselves.

given this, i made valentine's cookies this week for my run club. thank you for encouraging me to healthfully love myself and others, and to run like hell from those who don't return the favor.

olive oil cookies with rosemary, black pepper, and cabernet sauvignon
adapted from mark bittman's how to cook everything

ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil, the fruitier the better
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp crushed dried rosemary
1/4 cup of your favorite red wine, perhaps a splash more if you like (it is valentine's!)
sugar to coat

directions
1. preheat oven to 375*f
2. beat together olive oil, sugar, vanilla, and egg until well-blended.
3. combine flours, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and dried rosemary.
4. add half of flour mixture to olive oil dough and beat to just combine.
5. add in red wine and remaining half of flour mixture. if the cookie dough is not soft enough to drop by teaspoonful, add a little more wine.
6. form teaspoon-sized balls from the dough. coat in sugar, arrange on ungreased baking sheets, and bake for 10 minutes or so.
7. enjoy!