How many modifications can you make to something before you get to claim credit? It's a complicated question in the arts (and a wretched legal issue for musicians). It doesn't seem much clearer in the world of recipes. In general, I believe in stealing like an artist. But owning up to the theft in writing, in public, seems nearly as stupid as leaving your wallet at the bank you've just robbed.
Which is to say, this recipe didn't start with me. I got it from a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and then made a number of changes. Somewhere along the way, the modified version became my default cookie recipe, to the point that friends started referring to them as The Cookies.
So: Start with Clementine's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
But then:
1. Use bittersweet chocolate (60–70% cacao), not semisweet.
2. Skimp a little on the sugar and brown sugar.
3. Add a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients.
4. Use salted butter (the original recipe doesn't specify, but a lot of sweet bakes call for unsalted).
5. Replace the walnuts with dried Montmorency cherries.
I usually cut the recipe in half, which means 6. I make it with an egg white, not a whole egg.
Does this mean I can claim it? I doubt it. I think we're still in cover-song territory, but the sort of cover where you have to listen for a minute to be sure.
Which is to say, this recipe didn't start with me. I got it from a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate chips, and then made a number of changes. Somewhere along the way, the modified version became my default cookie recipe, to the point that friends started referring to them as The Cookies.
So: Start with Clementine's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
But then:
1. Use bittersweet chocolate (60–70% cacao), not semisweet.
2. Skimp a little on the sugar and brown sugar.
3. Add a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients.
4. Use salted butter (the original recipe doesn't specify, but a lot of sweet bakes call for unsalted).
5. Replace the walnuts with dried Montmorency cherries.
I usually cut the recipe in half, which means 6. I make it with an egg white, not a whole egg.
Does this mean I can claim it? I doubt it. I think we're still in cover-song territory, but the sort of cover where you have to listen for a minute to be sure.
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