Montauk Pioneer - July 4, 2008

When I think of the Fourth of July holiday, I think of summers spent high up in the Catskills, where the air is clean and the scenery is virtually untouched by modern life. Fourth of July is not just about fireworks; it's about coming together as a family to enjoy the simple and pure aspects of life. It's a tradition I've enjoyed throughout my life, although as I grow older these precious trips tend to be fewer and farther in between - but that just means I will enjoy our trip this year even more.

As I sit here writing, I'm imagining driving up the winding mountain road, picking out the landmarks that I've had memorized (like the don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it town), feeling the little tingle of anticipation (or perhaps that's from lack of oxygen) as we climb higher and higher, until I spot the row of mailboxes with our family's name. It will be late when we arrive - everyone will be asleep, the wind dancing with the trees outside being the only noise breaking the silence.

Morning is my favorite time - when the sun comes over the mountain, breaking through the misty clouds that settled overnight. The air is still chilly in the morning, and I love breathing in the crisp mountain air, sipping on coffee, listening to the family chatting inside.

We will bring a ridiculous amount of food, as is usual. Mom and I make one BIG shopping trip right before we leave, and we stock up on breakfast items like eggs, bread, milk, sausages, bacon, pancakes, orange juice...then there's lunch - cold cuts of every kind, pickles, rolls, potato chips, loads of fruits. Dinner is always a spectacle, and we're planning to bring steaks, a ton of burgers and hot dogs, chicken, pork chops. Then there are the sides - beans (my cousin makes a KILLER pot of baked beans), corn, pasta salads, green beans, and antipasti. There's so much food we could probably stay around for two weeks and not run out!

Now I know this isn't exactly gourmet food I'm talking about, but that's what I love about being a foodie - all kinds of food excite me, not just fancy recipes and pristine dining. My favorite time upstate is when we're down at Little Pond and we throw some burgers and hot dogs on the campsite grill and indulge while sitting on the beach, working on my tan. Or when we go to the Downsville carnival and I stuff my face with funnel cake and cotton candy. It's like heaven.

Being the foodie that I am, I wanted to bring something really special for everyone to enjoy. So in keeping with my giant sweet tooth and the holiday, I'm going to make some festive 4th of July cookies that I know the kids will love (both big and small). The recipe comes from my Aunt Franny in Las Vegas (the baking guru, remember) so you know it's a good cookie. Add some frosting and patriotic sprinkles and you've got some fine American snacking.

Patriotic Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, set aside. In a medium bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add dry ingredients slowly, but be careful not to overmix your dough.

Divide dough into two equal parts, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, about one hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Roll out your dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness, and cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Decorate with colored icing and sprinkles for a festive (and patriotic!) dessert.

Makes about 48 2 1/2 inch cookies.