Baking Epiphanies

When Elizabeth Gilbert was promoting her book Eat, Pray, Love on (where else) Oprah, one of the most profound pieces of advice she gave was to identify what you want. Correction – what you really, really, really want. You have to say it three times.

She was right. There is a subtle but crucial difference between things we want, and what we really, really, really want. For instance, I might want, I dunno – to eat the entire batch of these yummy cornmeal cookies all by myself in one sitting. But what I really, really, really want is to be toned and fit and healthy for life.

Get my drift?

Most of us go through life wanting a whole bunch of random things. The Manolo Blahniks, the Iphones, that cute guy who was checking you out at the bookstore. We get more serious, we venture into the “big” things – a fulfilling career, a happy marriage, kids. Maybe at some point we even get a bit spiritual and say, well all I want is peace, all I want is to give back. Most of these decisions though are nudged upon us from the outside. We want it because other people have it. We want it so we’ll fit in. We want it so we don’t feel lonely. We want it to feel validated.

Those aren’t real wants.

What you really, really, really want comes straight out of your heart. Your heart. And usually, it’s one thing – one big overriding theme that has tagged alongside you your whole life, sometimes quietly, sometimes ragingly. Sometimes we ignore it because it’s too painful, or too out of reach, or too much against the norm, so we’ll end up distracting ourselves trying to fulfill other, less authentic wants. But your true desire never quite leaves you. It’s always there, an integral part of you, waiting for the day you will give it your full attention.

The hard part isn’t always going after what we want. Sometimes, it’s knowing and acknowledging what we want that’s half the battle.

Do you know what you really, really, really want?

Savory Cornmeal Cookies - makes 3 dozen cookies

(adapted from Country Living)

These cornmeal cookies may not fall under the “3 reallys” category of wants, but you’ll want them for sure. They are the crazy love child of a scone, a muffin and a cookie. However they were conceived, they’re delicious – all by themselves or as an accompaniment to soups and stews. Just don’t eat the whole batch in one sitting and cancel out the sweaty 45 minutes you spent trying to convince Jillian Michaels not to kill you.

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne (use 1/8 if you don’t like heat)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 large egg

2/3 cups water

Preheat oven to 400. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper

Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, cayenne and black pepper until well combined. Stir in the cheese.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg and water. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a smooth ball of dough forms.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.