Oatmeal Cherry Cookies & Black Ice

PHOTOS: Breakfast set-up. Warm McCann's nutty oatmeal in the copper chafer accompanied by Raspberry Muffins, bacon, fresh OJ, and hot coffee. The raspberry muffins are on page 48 of Mary James dishes it out!

So my day began at 4:30 with prepping for the arrival of The Good Morning Show here at the house. Today was to be all about oatmeal. Warm and cozy with great smells coming from the kitchen, we thought we were all set until someone mentioned black ice and a winter weather advisory. Whoops!...Out the door they went to cover developing weather. Since we had mentioned that Oatmeal Cherry Cookies were coming up in the next segment and they are still on the counter waiting for their moment of fame, I will pass along the recipe here.

OATMEAL CHERRY COOKIES

2/3 CUP FLOUR
1 TEASPOON CINNAMON
1/2 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
1/2 TEASPOON SALT

3/4 CUP BUTTER
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1 CUP LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 EGG
2 TABLESPOONS WATER
1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

3 CUPS QUICK COOKING OATS
1 CUP DRIED CHERRIES

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Using a mixer, combine the butter, sugar, and brown sugar well. Add egg, water, and vanilla. Beat to thoroughly combine. Add flour mixture and mix well. Add oats and cherries, stir to combine.

Using a #16 ice cream scoop, place cookie dough on cookie sheet lined with parchment or reuseable pan liner (or grease the pan).

Bake in preheated 350 oven for 15-18 minutes.

Yield: 20 cookies

Variation: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts to the batter when adding oats and cherries.

These cookies freeze great.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 13.5 OUNCE CAN ARTICHOKE HEARTS IN WATER
1 10 OUNCE PACKAGE CHOPPED SPINACH

1/2 CUP MAYONNAISE
2/3 CUP SOUR CREAM
3 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE, ROOM TEMPERATURE
3/4 CUP CHEDDAR CHEESE, GRATED
1/2 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED
1 TEASPOON DRIED THYME
1 TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
1/2 TEASPOON TABASCO OR TO TASTE

Drain artichokes very well. Chop coarsely. Thaw spinach and drain very well, squeezing very dry with your hands. Set aside.

In the mixer, combine mayonaise, sour cream and cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients plus artichokes and spinach. Mix to combine.

Transfer to a heatproof shallow serving dish. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot throughout. Serve with crackers or sliced toasted baguette.

Alternative: For large events, transfer mixture to chafing dish and serve hot from chafer.

Variation: Add 1/2 pound crabmeat.