Not A Family Recipe

The recipe I am about to tell you about is not a recipe which has been in my family for generations. Or the one that people beg me to bring along every event. It is not fancy, or something you would present in front of the judges on Master Chef. This recipe is merely a classic. This recipe can be considered as iconic, undoubtedly one of the most comforting baked goods, thinking about it right now makes my mouth water. But there is a catch! If not done correctly, you have to throw it out because it is nearly impossible to recover.

If there was a food that was to be used to describe my family, this recipe is precisely that. With its burnt edging tint, soft golden centre, the sweetness with a kick of saltness and the knowing that there is nothing you cannot achieve. That is how you would describe my family, a little burnt on the outside, hearts of gold yet fearless. However, it was ironic because it was my sister who had found the recipe during isolation.

My sisters sometimes bake in the middle of her breakdown. See, the thing of this delicious baked good is that it was one of the small things that made 2020, more bearable. Much like others, 2020 has not been my year. BUT there are three decisive silver lining moments! One of them being seeing people standing together, helping each other out to create a safer environment. Two, having the support and love from my sister. She has held my hand through every meltdown and makes sure that I am okay. The final moment was biting into the delicious baked goods. Yes, this is very dramatic, I understand, but I am not one to lie about the saving grace of this delightful dessert. From that first bite of salt and sugar, I could taste reliance, hope and the belief that everything will be okay. Each crumb that falls from my mouth; it is like the recipe speaks to you, providing words of encouragement and gratitude. It gives the feeling of appreciation of life and to give a chance for all things possible. Even the uncooked batter is out of the world.

The recipe has been my go-to ever since. There is nothing better than one of us having a bad day, and then the smell of sweetness, happiness and love roams in the hallway and sinking into your room. With its cracked texture and chewie centre, you know that everything is going to be okay, somehow. This baked good is beautifully golden, with ribbons of dark brown mixed in and then, that first bite happens. It provides a sense of calmness as if you have jumped in a field of lavender. The ultimate baked good, not oily or dry.

Though there are hundreds and thousands of varieties of this recipe, some ask you to cream the butter, others say to use two spoons for scooping, some request for you use three or more types of the same product. Some can cause a hole in your pocket. And let us be real, we do not have time for that shit! Just another note of why this recipe is excellent, cost-efficient! Because honestly, every single one of us loves anything that is cost-efficient.

From the first chew to the very last, there is a sense of hope and belief. It is as if the smell of love enters through your nostrils and your eyes pop because of the sight of the golden crust mixed with the dark ribbon chocolate, along with the anticipation of having them cooled. Each movement spent on making perfect, the time to make the simplest of baked good is worth every moment spent on it. Much like when you smile with a few tears streamed down your face when Captain America finally said ‘Avengers Assemble’. The exact moments of invincibility, hope in the world arrive at you and reach every cell in the body. How amazing it is when a straightforward choc-chip cookie makes all the difference in my world. And I hope that when you all one day find your cookie. The one that brings out of the dark and pulls you into the light and more.