Earlier this year Jay’s sister, Jennifer, introduced us to a simple absolutely yummy recipe for Gluten Free Peanut Butter cookies. These cookies are “to-die-for” delicious even though they are comprised of only 5 ingredients, and are so easy to make that I successfully whipped a batch up in the tiny galley and unpredictable oven of a 39 ft Beneteau during rolling seas and a torrential downpour with wind gusts up to 35 knots while sailing in Belize this summer.
It was our first day out on the boat and we were headed into new territory. The briefing had left us somewhat terrified, noting there seemed to be a significant number of red Xs on the hand drawn chart they provided, indicating hidden reefs, pirates, or dangerous anchorage. We duly noted where the 3 “hurricane anchorage spots” were in case we needed to hole up for a bit. It was somewhat disturbing that one of the safe hurricane harbors was also the location of crocodiles and while it was safe to anchor, it was not safe to get in the water . . .
The weather was moody and unpredictable as we left the Moorings base — it was the heart of hurricane season after all, and to be expected, I guess. We made our way out the shallow passageway, being careful to stay exactly on top of the way markers because straying meant going aground . . . Within short order it began to rain. It didn’t seem much like the tropical vacation we had all envisioned, but it was a change of scenery, and having to keep our wits about us added some excitement to the trip.
After sitting out on deck for an hour or so in the rain, I decided I would try to make us a treat that we could enjoy rain or not. Luckily, while gluten free goods were virtually non-existent in Belize, all five ingredients needed to make our new favorite gluten free peanut butter cookies (namely, peanut butter, sugar, baking soda, vanilla and eggs) were readily available at the small Chinese/Latin American grocery store in Placencia. (Funny thing that: Chinese people operate almost all the grocery stores in Belize! Kind of strange . . .)
Going down below on a sailboat in bad weather is always something of an adventure unto itself. I started mixing batter, and unlocked the gimbal on the oven, allowing it to swing wildly with the waves but still stay relatively level. I heard scuffling above and glanced out into the cockpit. Mom had just put on a life jacket (!) and was muttering something about 35 knot gusts . . . I went ahead with the cookies.
We managed to tie up to a mooring ball at Wipari Cay and headed to shore, where we had high hopes that the restaurant would be open – but no such luck; instead within moments of stepping ashore, we got eaten alive by no seeums that came out with the rain, and received news from the proprietor that his restaurant had closed indefinitely. No worries, back to the boat we went for tea and freshly baked cookies instead.
The weather calmed down enough to encourage us to hop out for a quick snorkel. Despite the stormy weather the water was warm – I called it “no hesitation” warm, warm enough, in fact, that we decided we’d be brave and go night diving later.
Night diving is just about the creepiest thing ever. We had last gone night diving about 25 years ago. During that trip we chanced upon a five foot lemon shark! My response? I dropped the flashlight – not good! With that memory swirling, I was more than a little scared as we slipped into the inky black water from the stern of the sailboat, but put up a brave front because Mom was considering trying it the next time we went out. The shore seemed far away and the water where we were moored was so deep that our flashlights were only small tubes of light that never reached the bottom. I held Jay’s hand as we crossed the distance to shallower waters. Soon the nightlife started to appear in our flashlight beams. We peaked around at beautiful coral formations and gasped when larger fish crossed into our vision. Lobsters tend to come out of their hidey-holes at night and we chanced upon a big one. We’d already caught one for the day, though, so we let it go.
The sea at night is even more mysterious and quiet than during the day. You have very little peripheral vision. So long as you stay engaged with examining all the beauty right in front of you, it all works out okay, but let your thoughts wander outside the periphery of your light to wonder what might be swimming just out of your vision . . . in the dark . . . and panic can set in quickly. You have to stay relaxed and in awe–not thinking. If you are lucky, you might be surprised by something rare, like the blue octopus we saw. I am sure night diving is a meditation technique itself. Focus on what is in front of you, don’t let your thoughts run wild about what you can’t see or feel. Relax, enjoy the beautiful mystery of life as it unfolds one beam at a time.
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| Screen Saver Land |
Our sailing trip had a few more rolling windy and rainy days but eventually the sun came out and stayed out. This was a good thing because we really needed the sunlight to maneuver between the coral reefs of some of the outer islands, like Pompion, Ranguana and Nicholas Cay. There were reefs above and below the surface everywhere and while this was somewhat unnerving while we were underway, once we had tied up to a mooring ball or anchored it was like living in an aquarium, or as I thought of it, “screen saver land.” The water was clear and there was an abundance of different kinds of beautiful coral: Brain coral, Pillar Coral, Staghorn Coral, Gorgonians, Sea Fans, Plume Worms, and many shades of sponges. We also saw all kinds of beautiful reef fish most with fun names: Squirrelfish, Damselfish, Hawkfish, Porkfish, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Grunts, and the infamous Lionfish. We went out of our way to look for the ugly but good to eat ones, like Grouper, Yellowtail Snapper and Barracuda. All in all, we snorkeled and spear fished 3–4 hours a day in the warm water with Jay providing one fish or lobster per day to supplement our meals. For my contribution, I kept the peanut butter cookies coming for dessert and as soon as one batch was gone, I’d make another. Every part of ourselves was nourished and nurtured. At last, we relaxed.
Jay said this trip was like hitting a reset button on the computer once it has hung, where you have to actually hold the button down for some time to successfully reboot the system, just as we had to actually get away for long enough in a completely different setting so that no everyday thoughts lingered, in order to reset our life.
There is now a cozy memory corner I tuck myself into when I make Jennifer’s Peanut Butter cookies, recalling fondly this recent sailing trip that we somehow successfully sandwiched in between a whole lot of work.
Mmmmmm peanut butter cookies.
Mmmmmm sailing in Belize.
Mmmmmmm what beautiful mystery will show up in my beam of life next?
Jennifer’s Peanut Butter (Chocolate Chip) Cookies
Original Recipe My variations
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1 Cup extra crunchy peanut butter
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(you can also just add chopped peanuts to creamy peanut butter)
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1 Cup brown sugar
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1 Cup Sucanat or Coconut Palm Sugar (which both have a lower glycemic index and taste perfect)
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1 egg
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1 tsp baking soda
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
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I use Hershey’s sugar-free chocolate chips for me
On the boat I just crunched up a chocolate bar and added it
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· Preheat oven to 350 degrees
· In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, sugar, egg, baking soda and vanilla
· Fold in chocolate chips
· Spoon by the tablespoon onto parchment paper-lined (or greased) cookie sheet
· Bake for 10-12 minutes or longer for crispier cookies
