Dad's Oatmeal Cookies

These are really the world's best cookies. If you play with the recipe a bit, you can make them super healthy too (ie use whole wheat flour, fake eggs, etc.) Just add anything in your cupboard that looks like it would be good - my favourites are chocolate chips and sunflower seeds. Be careful though - too many additions and they'll fall apart!

Oh, and I always put in way more spices than the recipe says, and so does Dad. Try adding ginger, allspice or nutmeg.

3/4 c margarine
1 c brown sugar (packed)
1/2 c white sugar
1 egg*
1/4 c water
1 t vanilla
1 c flour
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t cloves
1 c raisins
1 c chopped nuts
3 c quick-cooking oats

Heat oven to 350.

Mix thoroughly margarine, sugars, egg, water and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients (you may need to use your hands).

Drop spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet (well, I never actually grease it) and bake for 12-15 mins or until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

These are my Dad's suggestions for additions:

- ginger
- more cloves/cinnamon
- coconut flakes
- wheat germ

* I tend not to use eggs when making cookies. I substitute the following: mix 1 T ground flax seeds (you can grind them in a blender) with 3 T water and let sit for 5-10 mins (preferable 10), then add when you would add eggs.