Recipes

Cowboy Cookies

Sonoma Stuffing

Supposedly, these cookies were considered the first power bar of the plains, for they kept well and provided energy for long days in the Old West. I am sure they filled their cookies with lots of different nuts, dried fruit and anything else that was nutritious and sustaining. Here is a basic recipe from my mom’s friend and neighbor, with chocolate chips, and you can adapt and change as you wish. This cookie is light, crisp and simply delicious. — Gayle Okumura Sullivan

The addition of just a few herbs, spices and alliums can turn a classic mushroom stuffing into a lovely cabernet sauvignon pairing. Pancetta and shallots contribute savory notes, while rosemary adds a dried herb element, in addition to the lovely textural notes from the variety of mushrooms. This homemade stuffing recipe shouldn’t be saved for just Thanksgiving dinner. — Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Ingredients:

½ brioche loaf with crust, torn into one-inch pieces ½ country French loaf, crust removed, torn into one-inch pieces 4 shallots ½ ounce dried porcini mushrooms ½ ounce dried cloud ear mushrooms ¾ cup butter ¼ cup pancetta, diced 1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 celery ribs, peeled and diced 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped ¼ cup Jordan Chardonnay 1 pound fresh chanterelle mushrooms 1 pound shiitake mushrooms 4 Tbsp black walnuts, chopped ¼ cup parsley, chopped 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup sugar (white) 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter 2 eggs 2 cups sifted flour 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 cups oats 1 tsp vanilla 1 package chocolate chips (12 oz)

Ingredients:

Directions:

Blend sugars and butter together in a bowl then add eggs. Beat ingredients until consistency is light and fluffy. Sift dry ingredients and then add them into mixture. Mix ingredients thoroughly. Add in chocolate chips and oats into the mixture and mix. You can personalize the recipe by adding in nuts, dried fruits, coconut or your favorite sweet! Scoop up cookie batter and place them onto a cookie sheet. Drop cookies into a preheated 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Wait till cool and enjoy cookie perfection.

Directions:

recipe and photo courtesy of:

On a paper-lined baking sheet, dry the torn bread pieces at a low temperature in the oven until just “stale.” Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 400 degrees F. Leave shallots in the skins and roast for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Remove from the skins and dice. Decrease the oven to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, place dried porcini in a non-reactive bowl. Bring 1½ cups seasoned water to a bare simmer and pour over porcini. Cover with plastic to rehydrate. Remove porcini and reserve. Strain the liquid through a coffee filter and reserve. Repeat this process with the dried cloud ears. Once cloud ears are reconstituted, trim off the inedible stems.

In a medium pan, melt 2 Tbsp butter, add pancetta and render over medium-low to medium heat. Cook until crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Place the cooked pancetta on a paper towel lined plate and reserve.

Melt the remaining butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, shallots, celery, garlic, thyme and rosemary, and cover. Stir occasionally until the onions are translucent and soft but have not started to brown (about 5 minutes). Remove cover and add wine and reconstituted mushrooms. Cook until fragrant. Add the raw mushrooms and sauté until tender. Add remaining garnish and cool.

Transfer the onion mixture to a large bowl with the pancetta. Add the breads and eggs and combine. If needed, moisten with reserved mushroom liquid. Place in buttered 9×13 dish and cover with foil. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve.

SponsoredSponsored Improvements Made Affordable Improvements Made Affordable

Photo iStock IMPROVEMENTS — Sonoma County Energy Independence Program helps property owners make needed improvements related to energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic strengthening.

Photo iStock

Living in Sonoma County has many benefits and one of the lesser known is the resources that are available from the County’s Energy and Sustainability Division.

The Division has been offering communityfacing services since the 2009 launch of the County’s financing program, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, which allows property owners to make needed improvements related to energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic strengthening.

Since the launch of the financing program, the Division has added several other services such as better building and solar consultations at no charge, homeowner workshops on a variety of subjects, Green Business Certification, and serve as a clearinghouse for all types of information and resources like rebates and incentives to get projects done.

Now is a great time to contact the Division to learn more, schedule a consultation, or start your financing application. With a recent drop in the interest rate to 5.99% and terms of 10 or 20 years, it’s a great time to make insulating exterior siding, gutters, eaves, vents, earthquake brace and bolt to name a few. Things like HVAC, solar systems, and battery back-ups have been eligible since the program started. The added measures bring the eligible list to over 100 improvements.

Q. Is this for residential and commercial properties?

A. The financing is available for any property in Sonoma County. However, nonprofit, tax-exempt property may have additional considerations.

Q. How does the program work?

A. The financing is based on the current market property value. You can borrow up to 10%. Since the financing is property-based, there is no income or credit qualifying. You need to be current on any mortgages and property taxes.

IMPROVEMENTS — Sonoma County Energy Independence Program helps property owners make needed improvements related to energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic strengthening. Save energy and financing is appealing to both residentia commercial property owners because it money while creating resilience Living in Sonoma County has many benefits and one of the lesser known is the resources that are available from the County’s Energy and Sustainability Division. The Division has been offering communityfacing services since the 2009 launch of the County’s financing program, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, which allows property owners to make needed doesn’t compromise their ability to borr personally. Q. How can I learn more or start an application? A. Visit the website at sonomacountyenergy.org/financing or (707) 565-6470. About the Energy and Sustainability Division: The Division was established as part of the Sonoma County General improvements related to energy, water, wildfire Services Department to advance efficien safety, and seismic strengthening. Since the launch of the financing program, “Now is a great time to sustainable government, residential, an business practices in Sonoma County. the Division has added several other services such as better building and solar consultations at no charge, homeowner workshops on a contact the Division to learn more, schedule a About the County of Sonoma: The C is comprised of 25 departments and age that provide a full range of services to thvariety of subjects, Green Business Certification, and serve as a clearinghouse for all types of information and resources like rebates and incentives to get projects done. Now is a great time to contact the Division to learn more, schedule a consultation, or start your financing application. With a recent drop consultation, or start your financing application.” community. It encompasses over 1600 s miles and is home to almost 500,000 re Sonoma County government has a hist providing excellent and responsive pub service while operating under sound fis principles. in the interest rate to 5.99% and terms of 10 or 20 years, it’s a great time to make 707-565-6470 improvements. sonomacountyenergy.org/finan

Q. What types of improvements can you finance?

A. Recently added improvements such as class A roofing, windows, ember resistant or insulating exterior siding, gutters, eaves, vents, earthquake brace and bolt to name a few. Things like HVAC, solar systems, and battery back-ups have been eligible since the program started. The added measures bring the eligible list to over 100 improvements. Q. Is this for residential and commercial properties? A. The financing is available for any property in Sonoma County. However, nonprofit, tax-exempt property may have additional considerations. Q. How does the program work? A. The financing is based on the current market property value. You can borrow up to 10%. Since the financing is property-based, there is no income or credit qualifying. You need to be current on any mortgages and property taxes. Q. What makes this different than traditional financing? A. Because it’s based on the property, your financial situation or portfolio are not considered. This type of “off-the-books”

Save energy and financing is appealing to both residential and commercial property owners because it money while doesn’t compromise their ability to borrow personally. creating resilience Q. How can I learn more or start an application? A. Visit the website at sonomacountyenergy.org/financing or call (707) 565-6470. About the Energy and Sustainability Division: The Division was established in 2006 as part of the Sonoma County General Services Department to advance efficient and “Now is a great time to sustainable government, residential, and business practices in Sonoma County. contact the Division to learn more, schedule a About the County of Sonoma: The County is comprised of 25 departments and agencies that provide a full range of services to the consultation, or start your financing community. It encompasses over 1600 square miles and is home to almost 500,000 residents. Sonoma County government has a history of application.” providing excellent and responsive public service while operating under sound fiscal principles. 707-565-6470 sonomacountyenergy.org/financing