Cherry & Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

"........ Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river..... 

....And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her......"  from Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne"

There are no coincidences in life. Sitting at the computer, ready to post another adaptation of my girlfriend's 'galettes au grau'  I was sure it was going to be just a matter of jotting down a few words about the recipe which I had made earlier, and was waiting to post. To my surprise, I started to reminisce about this 'femme extraordinaire' and the years spent with her as a colleague and close friend. Together we shared the ups and downs of life, and the laughter and tears that went with it. Passionate about, life, love and politics, Suzanne was never shy to impart her strong beliefs and advice.You knew embracing her words would lead to personal growth.She was well respected in both her personal and professional life. At home with both the elite of the artistic world and the less fortunate, Suzanne had a way of connecting with people. She truly embodied the expression 'joie de vivre', and her exuberance for life was contagious. I consider myself fortunate to have had this fine lady cross my path and  privileged to have her as a mentor and friend. Suzanne,'mon amie'  you are missed but you continue to be forever present in our hearts, even though you left us several years ago on a sunny October. Thinking of you, and as you would always say, "je t'embrasse."

 These oatmeal chocolate cherry cookies are packed with chocolaty flavour and irresistible ingredients like dried cherries, white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts are butter free, and a are healthier alternative to regular cookies.

 Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup dark Dutch cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chip cookies
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl sift in the flour, baking soda, Dutch cocoa powder. baking powder, sugar,and salt.
Toss in the dried cherries, the macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips.
In a separate bowl beat the eggs. Pour in the oil, milk and beat to combine.

Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon to blend. Drop by spoonfuls onto a parchment lined cookie tray and pat down gently. Bake at 400º F oven for 12 minutes. Makes 36 large cookies