Everyday Systems

It's an S day, here, and I decided I was in the mood for cookies, so looked up a small batch recipe and cooked them up for me and my husband.

I made seven cookies, ate 3 (one raw, two cooked). I'm totally full and totally satisfied. Actually, next time, I might just eat two raw cookies and leave it at that. Up until the past two weeks, I would've eaten a bowl of batter.

We've been together 10 years, and I have never once cooked chocolate chip cookies. He said to me, "I didn't even think you could make these." And I responded, "Actually, I just never trusted myself not to eat the whole batch."

Holy crap, ya'll. Do you realize what kind of life-changer No-S has been for me?? Can you imagine? It has been TEN YEARS since I allowed myself to cook one of my favorite foods!! (On a related note, up until no-s, it never occurred to me to look up a recipe for a small batch.)

This is the kind of win I just never expected when starting the plan. I can make what I like to eat without having the slightest urge to binge. After a lifetime of dieting, to have finally stopped gaining weight and instead gained this kind of freedom.... Totally awesome!! Thank you, Reinhard!!!!

Congrats! I love baking, so I like that No-S allows me to do it. I live alone so I usually bake, keep a few for myself over the weekend, and then give the rest away. It's fun for me and a bonus for my friends

Have you seen these: Small Batch Baking and soon-to-be-released Small Batch Baking for Chocolate Lovers

I've figured out how to cut down a couple of my favorites, but we're not big dessert eaters, except for cookies. I freeze extras in single serving portions.

I think that's where my recipe originally came from! I might have to buy it. They turned out great. But maybe not until next weekend....

A friend of mine has that book, wosnes, and I love it! (Need to get a copy of my own). It's brilliant.

Many recipes that have been passed down through the ages (especially for sweets) assume a large family. I mean, a pie is eight servings. That's dandy, but if I made dessert, it's probably going to be for three to four people, tops.

I have the book, too, though it's packed away right now. Sweet treats or savory meals, I cut nearly everything down to make less.

I've had Small Batch Baking for over a year, with this very idea in mind.

I guess it's time I tried something from it.

I love that No-S allows me to bake. At this point, my most successful S-days are on days when I bake something "really good" for a treat.

I'll have to look at the small-batch baking book - I'm sure there are items in it I'd use.

But for chocolate chip cookies, I use a trick I learned from my sister. Mix them up normally, bake what you want. The rest, drop on a cookie sheet like you were going to bake them, but closer together. Stick the sheet in the freezer long enough for them to harden (10-20 minutes), then peel off and put in a plastic food container and put back in the freezer. When you want hot cookies, put as many as you want on the baking sheet and add a minute to the normal baking time.

It so impresses guests when I have hot, homemade cookies in about 10 minutes. And I can cook 2 per person for the family for a dessert.

(Of course, this works only if you've pretty much broken the snacking habit. A friend I told this to said that she discovered frozed cookie dough was GREAT, so had to stop making them!)

It's only just hit me that it would be completely OK for me to take up baking. I've never baked, because it felt like something that would lead me to immediate, irrevocable weight gain.

(Did not baking make me not obese? Ha! Too right it didn't!)

A friend shared with me a recipe for chocolate brownies, which she describes as "chocolate-covered crack". I can't wait to make them this weekend, when my boyfriend comes to visit.

@Summerwine, that's EXACTLY how I feel! So exciting!

I think I need to buy that small- batch book.