choc·o·late chip cash·ew cook·ie

Chocolate chip cookies are the quintessential biscuit. Something with which I have never before dared tinker. But for some reason today I decided to add some cashew nuts ; I admit that is hardly a ground breaking variation. I will also admit that the only reason I did so is that I am going through a phase of wanting to use everything up and empty the bulging cupboards and fridge just a bit. A reaction to the excesses of Christmas and New Year. A familiar theme to me at the end of January. And what better way to recover from an period of excess than with a large plate of chocolate chop cashew cookies. Ironically perhaps.

To make at least two dozen normal sized cookies :

115g butter
1/2 cup of light muscovado sugar
1/3 cup of caster sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of natural vanilla essence
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup dark chocolate chopped into chunks
1/2 cup cashew nuts chopped coarsely

Preheat the oven to 160°c.
Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, but not too much so that it doesn't curdle. Fold in the dry ingredients and then the chocolate and cashew nuts.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are golden and look ready. I always make a couple of ginormous ones for the sheer excitement!