DAY 48 > Bake cookies without an oven

All the best science experiments in the world have one thing in common: cookies. Ever since reading NPR’s article on solar cooking, I knew unconventional cookies were in the culinary forecast.

We tried two cooking methods on this last hot-hot day of August: a homemade solar cooker and the car dashboard.

But like any batch of cookies, we had to start with the dough. My extensive scientific exploration of dough formulas allowed me to customize a dough that would brown nicely and maintain thickness in spite of low “oven” temperatures and long cooking times. Also, we used a special “reduced salmonella” trick. And this is a small batch.

Solar Cookie Dough

1/4 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 3/8 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, scrambled via microwave or stovetop
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Cream the butter, shortening, brown and white sugars. Then add the flour, baking soda and salt. Next, mix in the egg and vanilla until the dough pulls together. I promise, mix it long enough and it will. Then add the chocolate chips.

SOLAR OVEN #1 : Car Dashboard

I had heard baking cookies in a car was possible. “YouTube University” provided me with this educational material on the subject:

So I went to church ready with a pan of cookie dough. I pulled into a strategically shade-free, sun-directed, asphalt-surrounded spot and placed the cookies on the dashboard. And let me say, that’s something you can’t do without attracting a little attention. I guess this isn’t something people normally do upon arriving at church?

I went to the service and hurried out to check on my cookies…

They were not done. No where close. But it had not yet even gotten to 95 degrees outside, the minimum temperature required to bake those things. So I left the van-oven sealed and left it to bake another few hours.

Finally, six hours later, something beautiful emerged:

So they were a little doughy. But they were also browned and crispy. And delicious. Although the day was hot — at least 100 degrees — there was a lot of forest fire smoke in the air, creating a less than ideal baking environment. A surprisingly good cookie, considering.

SOLAR OVEN #2 : Homemade foil solar oven

While the cookies were baking in the car, we tried out a second solar oven option using a cardboard box, clear plastic sheeting, and aluminum foil. So thanks to amazon.com, a cheap poster frame with a cutable plastic cover, and a black plastic bag, and aluminum foil we were in business.

The idea is that the foil reflects the sunlight, the black helps attract heat, and the plastic seals the heat in. So we aimed our box and waited. And re-aimed and waited. And re-aimed and waited. The thing about the sun, is that it moves…

Finally, after 2 hours, we pulled out…cookies! And some melted plastic. I guess that is why they suggest spray painting the “oven” black…

They were pretty doughy also. But browned and crispy and certainly enjoyable to eat. At least for me and the kids. Brian’s response? “They’re too rich…for me.” And also, “Now…why are you doing this?” But to me and the kids it made total sense. Now they can go back to school write about how much fun they had over the summer making cookies in their car.

Conclusion?

I now have such peace of mind knowing that if society collapses, I will be ok as long as I have cookie dough and a car or aluminum foil. Yeah, they’re not quite the same, but…if its the apocalypse, I think they will suffice.

DAY 47 > Go to the Lentil Festival

This is how excited the kids were to go to the Lentil Festival in Pullman, WA this weekend:

Thrilled, as you can see. But then, lentils are not high on their list of favorite foods, like they are on mine. (Which is not saying much…there are few foods that haven’t made that list.)

But once there was a band and some shade and some lentil ice cream and lentil chips involved?

And my highlight was the Pea and Lentil Cookbook. I love these local foods and can’t wait to try some new serving ideas out. Can’t say the rest of the family shares my excitement…

DAY 46 > Make pizza on the grill

Pizza, as commonly eaten, I could live without. But pizza on the grill is a whole ‘nother matter. Crispy crust, customized toppings, anticipation…it is a summer standard in our house and especially fun with friends.

Here’s how to enjoy your own:

1. Make the dough.

I have a bread-maker, so here is what I throw in the machine on the dough setting. Or, if you are less lazy, mix it by hand, let it rise a couple times.

1 1/2 c. water
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
4 1/2 c. bread flour
2 tsp. yeast

2. Grill the crust

Preheat grill to high heat. When the dough is ready, cut the dough into 12 pieces. Thinly coat with oil to prevent sticking. Flatten or roll into 8-12″ discs, about 1/8″ thick and place on grill, close the lid and bake until barely browned. Flip and bake other side. The bread should not be crispy, just no longer doughy. Pre-cooked dough can be used that day or frozen for later use.

3. Top the pizza

Put on sauce and cheese and whatever else you like: ham, pepperoni, chicken, sausage, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, peppers, onion, basil, spinach, pineapple…one of my favorites is a tomato base topped with basil, red onion and feta cheese. The kids love to make faces and put what they like on the pizza. Get creative!

4. Bake the pizza.

Place topped pizza straight on the grill, close the lid, and cook on low heat for around 5-15 minutes, until crust is crispy and cheese is melted.

DAY 45 > Go to the circus

Did you know there are kids who really have run away to join the circus? Well, maybe not the running away part. But the part of joining the circus, that is entirely true.

The Wenatchee Youth Circus came to town this past weekend and we were among the privileged few who saw their performance. I was taking my chances in bringing them…certain of my children are mischievous monkeys and would be well-suited to circus life. I didn’t necessarily want to plant seeds of possibility in them.

The show was amazing. As was the heat. But in all honesty, the show went by really quickly despite the 90-something temperatures.

I did learn my adrenal system could not handle watching the circus on a regular basis. There are safeguards in place, but people of any age swinging through the air is just more than I could take everyday.

There were some real performers in the group. I was half expecting to see a kiddie-show…this was nothing of the sort. These kids practice year round and tour all summer long. Many of the acts were impressive by any standard, but they all were considering the ages of the kids.

I’ve heard a bit about the circus since we’ve come back. The star performer’s name has been mentioned more than once. But so far, I’ve not heard any plotting to run away with them the next time they’re in town…

DAY 44 > Send Your Kid to Camp

This was the year. Sending kids to camp was a parenting milestone that felt so far away…until my oldest pack his bags (with some help) and boarded the bus to his very first week at church camp.

He was so excited, he forgot to say good-bye. We had a girls week — along with cousin-time — so he wasn’t the only one to enjoy his time away.

As much fun as they had without him, his sisters were still glad to have him home…