No Fail Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a recipe for my chocolate chip cookies. They are simple and delicious and best of all, you can't fail making them. Be careful, you won't be able to eat just one. 

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) organic butter
1 1/2 cups organic sugar
2 organic eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together for a few minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and sea salt then mix into the dough.  Before the dough is completely mixed, add in the chocolate chips and mix just until everything comes together. Drop by spoonfuls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake approximately 8-10 minutes depending on if you like soft or crispy cookies. Transfer to a cooling rack. 

Blackened Grouper over Hearts of Romaine Salad with Lemon ParmesanVinaigrette

OK, I just love grouper! It is an unbelievable fish to work with, just melts in your mouth. If you live somewhere where grouper is not available or too expensive, just substitute with a mild, flakey white fish like cod. They are related anyway. If you like things on the spicy side kick up the cayenne in the blackening recipe. Enjoy!

Makes 2 big salads or 4 small

1 lb. fresh Grouper fillets
2 Tbsp Taya's Blackening Spice
2 hearts of romaine, chopped
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
Fresh grated Parmesan for garnish

In a salad bowl, toss the romaine, avocado, and Vinaigrette. Set aside.

Heat a pan (preferably cast iron) over med-high heat. Do NOT grease the pan, it should be dry. While the pan is heating, sprinkle the Blackening Spice all over the Grouper fillets, covering both sides. Place in pan and cook approximately 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
When cooked, place on top of dressed salad and sprinkle with Parmesan. 

Taya's Blackening Spice

I just love blackened fish as well as shrimp. Here is the blackening seasoning for today's recipe.

1 1/2 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp sea salt
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp thyme
1 Tbsp organic sugar
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp coriander seeds

Grind all ingredients in a coffee grinder.

Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette

Here is a delicious salad dressing that goes great with sea food dishes and much more.  

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1-2 med. lemons)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 organic egg yolk
1 lg. clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt, to taste

Place all ingredients except olive oil in a blender. Whiz it up. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil.