Why I love Berlin Parks

Ping pong tables in the park ( watch out for the wind factor)







hammocks galore (BYOB)



and if you're into kids, endless fun! (from trampolines to massive swings)

Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I know that eating cookies isn't the best way to stay healthy but I actually cut the sugar in this recipe in half , and it's certainly better than anything store bought.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (220 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (170 grams)
  
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (200 grams)
  
• 1/2 cup white sugar (170 grams)
  
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
  
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 100 grams of Bitter chocolate broken into chunks
• 1/2 cup walnuts
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate and walnuts by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough 1 tbsp at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets.
   
4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted.
   

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Luke has been asking me to make him something in a bread bowl for months now, so I took advantage of having visitors over so we wouldn't have to eat the whole thing ourselves. Please note that despite Aziz, Jo and Jan helping us out, we continued eating this for several days. Next time I will definitely half the recipe.

2 pounds fresh spinach washed ( or 2 packages of Frozen)
1 large can of artichokes, chopped

2 sweet onions diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 pint plain yogurt
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup walnuts lightly toasted

Directions

In a large pan cook spinach in water that clings to the leaves until it wilts.
Drain and rinse under cold water and gently squeeze out excess liquid.
Chop finely and reserve.
In medium pan cook onions in butter over medium heat until well caramelized.
Cool then mix with spinach, artichokes, yogurt, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and serve in a bread bowl