Basic Parenting

Parenting has gone through a lot of change since I had my children in the ‘90s. We belong to a generation of moms where we clubbed traditional methods of upbringing with modern practises under the guidance of elders in the family and some family doctor who was more than willing to share some informed choices in parenting. Today, thanks to the internet, everything is available at our fingertips. Sometimes all that knowledge can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong. I am all for knowledge, information etc etc. Provided we have the intellect and the common sense to decipher the information and the maturity to select what suits our parenting style. It is important to adapt the knowledge to our overall family values and style to enjoy the full benefit…..

Families are different and what sets each family apart are their cultural heritage and family values which has been passed down the generations. We need to respect that and adopt our parenting style likewise. What is alright in another family may not be alright in mine and vice versa. I wish more moms would consider that aspect when cultivating a new habit or correcting something that already exists.

Gluten Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

As promised, here is the recipe for my delish GF Chocolate Chip Cookies. They really taste better if baked with frozen dough a few hours later. But, if like me, you can’t wait, bake up a batch after you have cooled the dough in the freezer for an hour or so.

This is a very forgiving recipe. So, play around with the additives, or leave them out completely. I usually like a blend of brown and white chocolate chips. You can also put in flours of your choice or make them with plain old AP flour. I use a blend of the Maid Replacer from Zero G  and oatmeal flour which I make at home by grinding instant oats. A mix of white castor sugar and brown sugar add an extra chewiness to the cookies. I have made them with a mix of brown sugar and jaggery powder  and they have come out pretty amazing. I have also added cinnamon powder instead of vanilla essence and if I wanted them spicy I have substituted it with dry ginger powder as well. So, play around with the recipe all you want or make different varieties and store them in your freezer to bake as and when required.

I store them in the freezer in silver foil bags and pop them in the oven whenever anybody wants to have some. Takes just 10 minutes to bake.

Ingredients:

Makes about 24 Cookies depending on the size you like...

1 cup of Soft Brown Sugar - 200g 

1 cup of White sugar - 200g 

2 1/2 cups of Gluten Free Flour Mix - 312g 

2 cups of Chocolate Chips - 250g 

1 cup of Soft Butter - 240g 

2 Eggs

1 Tsp Baking Powder

½ Tsp Baking Soda (or just 2 tsps of Baking Powder)

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt (omit if using salted butter)

Cream the sugar and butter together lightly using a whisk. Add one egg at a time, along with the Vanilla essence and whisk again till completely incorporated.

Separately mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda together. Add other powders if using them. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold well using a spatula. Now add the chocolate chips.

Put it in the fridge for at least 45 - 60 minutes. Pull out, shape into balls and bake. You can put the remaining balls in a zip lock or silver foil bag and freeze for future use.

Bake for 10-12 Minutes at 180'C /350'F. They will be soft when done. Just let them cool for about 10 minutes till they harden. They taste heavenly with a glass of chilled milk.

Enjoy!