For my bioethical narratives in film class, I wanted to make cookies that represent the ideas about genetics in Gattaca, which is a film that claims “there is no gene for the human spirit.” I made two batches of cookies, one that were genetically (genes = ingredients?) designed to be great, and the other that just tried really really hard.
Genetically Superior Cookies with pistachio, saffron and rose
- 2 cups King arthur unbleached pastry flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch saffron
- 4 TB rosewater
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup natural unsalted pistachios, chopped
- pink dusting sugar
Whisk together sugar, salt and flour. In a small bowl, add 2 TB water, the saffron and the rosewater, and stir gently. When incorporated, add this mixture and the butter to the flour and blend with your fingers until a smooth dough. Roll out into a log, roll in the pistachios so the nuts coat the outside, and chill the dough until firm. Set oven to 350 F, slice cookies off of log, place on parchment lined baking sheet, and sprinkle with pink sugar. Bake 15-20 minutes or until nuts are toasted. They should have a gentle floral flavor, like the taste of not having to work hard to win everything.
American Dream Cookies
These are a little more obvious, but a little more personal… rugalech.
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 sticks softened butter
- 1 stick philadelphia cream cheese
- 3 TB whole milk
- 3 TB sugar
- 1 jar jelly, I use apricot but raspeberry is acceptable
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Blend flour, cream cheese and butter with your fingers. Once together, refrigerate dough until its sturdy. Roll out the dough, slather in jelly leaving one end jelly-free, sprinkle with cinnamon, and roll up the cookie from the jelly-heavy side. Refrigerate until hard. Set oven to 350 F. Slice the cookies with a butter knife but keep them upright. Brush the tops of the cookies with whole milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 15-20 minutes. Taste the hard work and determination.
mishkitchen 