The Dude Abides.

Yes, one bowl made me think almost immediately of bowling which made me think of The Big Lebowski.

I love, love, love the scene where The Dude is relaxing by listening to recordings of bowling tournaments.

I love all of the scenes at the bowling alley, but this is my favorite.

Go ahead and fix yourself a batch of these fabulous cookies. Pour a cold glass of milk and use it to make your White Russian.

One Bowl Chocolate Chunk Pecan Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups pecan halves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place pecans on large baking sheet and toast in oven until they are warm and fragrant, 6 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cool completely.

3. Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave uncovered on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until completely melted. Using a large wooden spoon, stir both sugars into the melted butter. When combined, add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Stir until smooth. Stir the flour, baking soda, and baking powder into the batter just until incorporated and a soft dough forms. Carefully fold in the chocolate chunks and cooled toasted pecans.

4. Use a 2 oz self-releasing ice cream scoop or a 1/4-cup measuring cup to measure out the cookie dough. Place the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, 45 to 60 minutes. Toward the end of chilling time, return the oven to 350 degrees.

5. Bake until the cookies are crisp and golden around the edges but still a little soft in the centers, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let cool slightly. Transfer the cookies from the baking sheets to the wire racks and let cool to room temperature.

Recipe from Jill O’Connor’s Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey (A cookbook I highly recommend if dessert is your thing)

I’m fresh out of bowling tournament recordings, but here is some random stuff that I am liking at the moment.
There are about 16 musicians in this Scottish Band. What you get is a wall of sound. I love it.
The Second Hand Marching Band-Don't!

You can watch some videos of the band here and buy their music here.

And now for something completely different. I first heard of Ramsay Midwood earlier this month over at songs:illinois. This song makes me want to kick off my shoes and dance around the kitchen.
Ramsay Midwood-Loopers

You can buy Ramsay Midwood’s music here.

Cheers!