{"id":51137,"date":"2023-11-29T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=51137"},"modified":"2023-11-29T11:22:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T16:22:07","slug":"star-cookies-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/people\/star-cookies-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailor & Galley: Home for the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Lorelei <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Aboard her Island Packet 40, Sasha<\/i>, Lorelei Johnson has spent numerous winter holidays far from family and\u00a0friends.<\/span>\n Courtesy Lorelei Johnson<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\n

As active seasonal \u00adcruisers seeking winter warmth, usually in the Bahamas, my husband, Radd, and I have spent many winter holidays aboard our Island Packet 40, Sasha<\/em>, far away from family and friends back home. We do miss the gatherings and traditions, but no matter where we are, we try to embrace new ways of celebrating\u2014joining local celebrations or attending local services\u2014while preserving a few tried-and-true traditions from our land life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nassau, on New Providence Island in the Bahamas, was the backdrop for one of our most memorable holidays. We arrived a few days before Christmas, got settled, and then set out to explore. That day\u2019s mission was to visit the Bacardi distillery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all our cruising \u00addestinations, when venturing beyond walking distance of our harbor, we always use whatever public transportation is available (if any). Yes, we\u2019re frugal cruisers, but public transport is a great way to interact with local people and absorb the culture. It\u2019s always far more interesting than taking a taxi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Nassau, we were lucky: There\u2019s an extensive bus system. New Providence is a fairly large island; if you want to head away from Nassau harbor and the downtown area to the island\u2019s south side (\u201cover the hill,\u201d as the locals say), you must hail a taxi, get a ride or take the bus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After ensuring that we were going in the right direction, we asked our friendly bus driver if the Bacardi distillery was on the route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he replied, with a \u00adsorrowful head shake. Then, his face lit up with a wide smile. \u201cBut I\u2019ll take you there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And away we went, the only two riders on the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once we got \u201cover the hill,\u201d we discovered a whole different world: homes with yards, small shopping centers, and no tourists. Eventually, we were out in the country. The driver took us right to the distillery\u2019s entrance. We expressed our heartfelt thanks, and then he asked, \u201cWhat time do you want me to pick you up?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The friendliness and \u00adcourtesy of the Bahamian people are astounding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a pleasant tour and, of course, a rum tasting, we emerged with several bottles of Bacardi to restock our near-empty liquor locker on board. Sure enough, our new friend retrieved us at the \u00adappointed hour, and back \u201cover the hill\u201d we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back on the boat, feeling festive, I formulated a plan. For as long as I can remember, my mom made special cookies for Christmas Eve. They were moist and creamy, with a hint of peanut butter perfectly \u00adcomplemented by chocolate centers. She always used packaged Brach\u2019s Chocolate Stars, so we called them Star Cookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, she passed down the recipe, one she\u2019d modified through trial and error. I began to gather ingredients on the boat and realized that I had everything but the chocolate stars. It didn\u2019t matter: The cookies are delicious with any small, solid-chocolate candy pieces for the centers. You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, even white chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Christmas Eve arrived, we rode the city bus again, this time to attend a holiday service at the magnificent 300-year-old Christ Church Cathedral, a Nassau landmark. In yet another demonstration of Bahamian courtesy, a different driver apologized profusely for not being able to take us directly there but promised he\u2019d get us within a short walk. We both wore wide smiles as easy-\u00adlistening Christmas carols blared out of the bus speakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late that night, back aboard Sasha<\/em>, we feasted on the cookies, along with eggnog spiced with fresh nutmeg and a healthy shot of our recently acquired rum. Turns out it\u2019s possible to be home for the holidays after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Cookies (yields 30 cookies)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"cookies <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Star Cookies<\/span>\n Lynda Morris Childress <\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n