Taylor Swift’s Chai Tea Cookies

 INGREDIENTS

For the Cookies:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Cinnamon sugar for rolling

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for sprinkling the top of the cookies
• 3 tablespoons whole milk or eggnog

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed for about 1 minute.  Add the vegetable oil.  It may not fully incorporate with the butter, but that’s ok.  Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and all of the spices. Beat to combine.
3. Add the egg and vanilla, beating on medium speed until completely incorporated.
4. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt all at once using a wooden spoon or the mixer set on low.
5. The dough will be soft. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour 
6. For large cookies, dollop 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  For smaller cookies use 1 Tablespoon for each cookie.  Press the dough evenly with your fingers or palm to 1/4-inch thickness.  Roll each cookie dough in a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.
7. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes for larger cookies or 8 to 10 minutes for smaller cookies.  Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely.
8. In a medium bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients to thick but spreadable. Spread each cooled cookie with glaze just over the center, leaving the edges of the cookie free of glaze. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh nutmeg if you have it. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Tamale Pie With Fresh Tomato and Corn

 

Ingredients

½ pound fresh chorizo, or other sausage 

½ pound ground beef, or other ground meat

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2½ teaspoons cumin

1 large onion, grated on a box grater, divided

1–2 medium jalapeños, thinly sliced, seeded if desired, divided

1¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

2 large beefsteak tomatoes (about 2 pounds), cut into 1/2" cubes

2 cups corn kernels (preferably fresh; from about 3 ears of corn), divided

8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

2 large eggs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

⅓ cup sour cream, plus more for serving

1¼ cups cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 450°F. Heat an 8" cast-iron skillet over high. Pat chorizo and beef (or substitutes) dry with paper towels, then press into an even layer in bottom of hot skillet with a spatula. Cook, undisturbed, until a brown crust begins to form on the bottom, about 6 minutes. Turn, break into pieces, and continue to cook until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste, cumin, half of grated onion, half of jalapeño, and 1¼ tsp. salt and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and well combined, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes, 1½ cups corn, and 1½  cups cheese.

   Step 2

   Whisk eggs, butter, ⅓ cup sour cream, and remaining onion in a medium bowl. Whisk cornmeal, baking powder, and remaining ½ tsp. salt in a small bowl. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and stir to combine, then stir in ¼ cup cheese and remaining ½ cup corn.

   Step 3

   Dollop cornbread batter over meat mixture, then smooth into an even layer. Top with remaining jalapeños and ¼ cup cheese.

   Step 4

   Bake cornbread until golden brown, 15–18 minutes. Serve with sour cream alongside.