Every year about this time the geese seem to become placated with their surroundings. I never considered my area south enough for a bird to be comfortable through the winter, but our ponds are filled with hundreds of geese, the fields lined with them and causal strolls through the park become dangerous missions filled with little land minds. Some people mind the geese, some people enjoy them. I don't mind them have an opinion either way about their mass numbers and odd choice in the sunny tropical south. (Though, this winter they may be on to something).
Every year though, there are a few scattered pairs that pull on my heart strings. They can always be seen close together near a drainage ditch and a busy intersection. There will be a small flock of goslings later in the spring and the birds will stand close guard until eventually they vanish.
Are they rebellious loners who broke away from the pack or have they lost their way and are waiting for the call from above to join up with another flock. Are they safe in their tiny drainage ditch or are they in constant peril with the rushing drivers not more than 6 feet away.
These are the things I think about when I driving. I try to slow at the spots where I know the geese and their future family will be. Please tell me I'm not alone in these thoughts.
Sea Salt and Thyme Chocolate Chunk Cookies
from Desserts for Breakfast and the back of a Nestles Chocolate Chunk bag
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teas baking soda
- 1 teas kosher salt
- 2 tbs fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teas vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cup dark chocolate chunks, or chips
- ½ teas sea salt, coarsely ground
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and thyme leaves. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars together. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down sides as needed. In three batches, combine the flour mixture until combined.
Remove bowl from mixer and fold in the chocolate chunks.
Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, scoop out tablespoon size portions of cookie dough onto sheets. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 9-11 minutes until golden brown.
Cool on for 5 minutes on sheet before transferring and cooling completely on a wire rack.
The thyme flavor is mild right out of the oven, but who can resist a warm chocolate chip cookie? Give it a day or so and the thyme really starts to pop in these.
Belinda @zomppa says
Aw, kinda neat to see that no matter what happens, the geese know what to do. Hmm - so do you with these cookies!
ping says
Thyme and chocolate .... that sounds really nice! Thyme's one of my favorite all round herb. I would never have thought of using them in a choc chip cookie. I've used rosemary in some cookies but dunno why I've never thought of thyme ... duh me. I so need to make these!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Our geese stick here year-round so we get to know them pretty well, remembering the couples or those that have lost a partner. I enjoy them (even with the land mines), but every once in a while their 3am squabbling gets a little loud for me. 🙂
I've not thought to put thyme in cookies before, but I like the sound of it. I bet they tasted as delicious as they look.
Blog is the New Black says
Loving this unique combo!
Tes says
What an exciting combination! The pictures are so stunning, too 🙂
Cassie says
Kita, these sound scrumptious. I love the savory/salt combination. Definitely trying these!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is such a neat idea!
RavieNomNoms says
This is so creative! I am so curious as to what these taste like, I love trying new things that are adventurous. Especially when it is a cookie, hehe 😉
Fresh and Foodie says
Delicious! What a creative idea.
Anna says
I would love to taste these cookies! The flavors pairing sounds very intriguing. Thank you for sharing! Your pics are stunning, btw!
Kiri W. says
How intriguing! These sound really delightful, I am trying to envision the flavor combination 🙂
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I am so intrigued and want to try this flavor combination now! Also, your cookies look like cookie perfection!
Kristen says
I am definitely south enough to have winter bird guests. The geese fly through, honking, looking mighty strange with palm trees behind them. It's the same with the cardinals. All they need are sunglasses and Bermuda shorts to finish the ludicrous picture.
Just came from KimBee's site...you did a fabulous job.
Kaitlin says
I love salty sweet combos. I bet the thyme brings this to a whole new level of deliciousness. Great post!
Stephanie says
Ooh, thyme in cookies. I've never thought to put it into a dessert. Great idea!
Vicki @ WITK says
I think I read somewhere that geese will only fly as far south as they need to to find open water. So if your ponds and lakes aren't frozen, the geese are staying! Anyways.... these cookies sound good 🙂
Ann says
You are not alone in those type of thoughts! I would have never thought to put thyme in chocolate chip cookies...I bet it gives it a terrific, peppery bite!
Kristina says
Such a unique cookie! I'm going to have to make these because I'm so curious about how they taste! I love this idea!
Erin says
I wish I saw geese ever. And never had tried thyme in a cookie but imagining it in my head seems quite intriguing.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
OMG KITA. You are blowing my mind. I need to make these!!
Kim - Liv Life says
I saw your photo for these cookies on Tasteologie and they jumped off the page... positively beautiful! Not a combo I would have thought of, but one that really makes me want to try.
I hope your little goose friends are OK, we have some ducks like that around here and I always worry about them too!
Amy's Cooking Adventures says
These look so unique! I love herbed cookies!
Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook) says
this sounds so interesting! definitely want to try this sometime!
sweet road says
I love incorporating herbs and spices into baked goods, it adds so much depth! I'll have to try this combo soon, it must be amazing.
sara says
Love this recipe - looks really delicious! Gorgeous photos too!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Now you can get your veggies (or herbs) in while eating chocolate. I love this idea 🙂
Russell van Kraayenburg says
What an awesome flavor combo! I've never thought to put thyme in cookies. And I make about 6 dozen cookies a week.
You're definitely not alone. I just about rolled my truck this morning swerving to avoid a squirrel who decided to play chicken with me.
Schapiro says
Made these tonight and they were extremely delicious. The sweet / savory / subtle saltiness combo is fantastic. The thyme adds a very unique and distinct flavor, but not overwhelming or unfortunate; just right.Thanks so much for this recipe!
Kita says
Nothing is more awesome to a food blogger then when people actually try their recipes. I'm glad you enjoyed these. I found that I enjoyed the flavors more on day two when everyone had a chance to mingle.
Hazel says
I love the way these taste. The thyme is a little bit spicy, but it combines really well with the taste of the chocolate and salt.
Patricia Conte says
Whoa!!!! These sound amazing! What a wonderful idea - thanks for sharing!!