I am learning that catering doesn't always mean a fancy, sophisticated spread. Sometimes may also be doing a ton of amuse bouche or appetizers, and sometimes the theme could be low-key and understated - and yet still very appreciated! In this particular case, I made a picnic-style lunch of gorgeous paninis with three kinds of cheese and shaved deli turkey on sprouted-grain bread, hand-crafted veggie-chip blend, baked cornichon, and the most wonderful chocolate chip cookies that were crisp on the outside and just-soft-enough in the middle that they melted in the clients' mouths! I know, because they said so!! I have a little trick for uniform cookies so read on in the recipe to see what that little hack is!!

CHOCOLATE CHIP PICNIC COOKIES

1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tbs vanilla extract
1 pkg (16 oz) chocolate chips

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat together butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add vanilla and mix well. slowly add flour mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips. HACK PART ONE: Spread your mixture onto a prepared baking sheet to meet the edges. Bake until cookie "cake" is brown, which is approximately 13 minutes. HACK PART TWO: Take a circular (or whatever shape) cookie-cutter (I used a small round with tiny scalloped edges for this catering job) and immediately cut your shape into the sheet of baked cookie. DO NOT REMOVE. Immediately place your cookie sheet in the freezer and leave there for anywhere between fifteen minutes to a half hour. When you pull out the cookie sheet, carefully remove your cookies and keep the scraps for another recipe or as a treat for later! I freeze mine and use in cheesecake for Sunday Supper!

NOTES: I use all-organic ingredients but it is not necessary for the flavor in the cookies for this particular recipe. Also, be on the watch for your husband sneaking his nose into the freezer for the scraps you are saving for later. I'm not trying to throw anyone in my house under the bus (The Hubster)......I'm just sayin'......