Without the White Chocolate Chips Cookies

That's right. These "Chai-spiced shortbread cookies" called for 1 cup of the chips (to simulate vanilla soy milk which is used in some chai teas?). They are darn good without the white chocolate and the butter is sin enough.

1 C. butter softened, 1/4 C. agave nectar, 1/2 t. salt, 1 t. vanilla extract, 2 C. healthy flour, 1 T. cinnamon, 1 1/4 t. ground ginger, 1 t. ground fennel seeds, 1/2 t. ground cardamom, leaves from 1 Lipton "English Breakfast" or other orange pekoe tea bag

Preheat oven to 350F. Beat butter, agave, salt, vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer until smooth. In another bowl stir together flour, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, cardamom, tea leaves. Add to butter mixture and beat on low speed until blended.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set 1-tablespoon balls of dough 1 inch apart on sheets and flatten slightly with a floured glass.

Bake until cookies are light golden on undersides, 15 to 18 minutes, switching pan positions halfway through baking. Transfer to racks to cool.

Makes 40-45

Lasagna Reprised

In May of 2009 I posted a classic lasagna recipe here. While that one may still be The Quintessential, here's a healthy option:

7 lasagna noodles (multi-grain would be nice), cooked and well drained
1 1/2 C. chopped broccoli, cooked and well drained
2 C. organic spaghetti sauce
3/4 C. low fat cottage cheese
4 slices Provolone soy cheese cut into strips

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cut noodles to fit 8" by 8" pan.
Place 3 noodles in bottom of pan. Layer with 1/3 of sauce, 1/2 of broccoli, 1/2 of cottage cheese, 1/3 of soy cheese. Repeat, using noodle pieces.
For top layer, top with sauce and soy cheese.
Cover with foil.
Bake 45 minutes.
Let stand and cool before serving.

Notes: Asparagus in lieu of broccoli is "a-nice". Mushrooms are always a welcome addition. You may FAT SPLURGE with just a little grated Romano, mozzarella, Parmesan