As a cookery school teacher of many years standing, I have a large collection of what I term 'safety net' recipes.

These tried and tested gems all share the attributes of using minimal, economical ingredients and super speedy preparation to deliver consistently superb results.

Your idea of the perfect recipe?

Then read on.

One of my favorite soup recipes calls for just a cup of red lentils, a handful of celery leaves, carrots and spices, yet the taste is nothing short of gourmet.

Need to produce crumbed schnitzel in a hurry?

Mayonnaise, Japanese breadcrumbs and a short spell in the oven is infinitely better than frying.

I absolutely adore my wildly popular carrot salad which is made using only grated carrots, Chinese pecans and a truly addictive dressing.

And the light 'n luscious two ingredient scones featured in my recent quick 'n easy Delicious workshop were a revelation even to me.

When it comes to whipping up a tea time treat - or easy dessert - then it's this mouthwateringly good peanut butter 'n choc chip cookie recipe I reach for.

Gluten-free AND lactose-free, these tempting treats are made using only natural ingredients, and are hand-mixed in a single bowl for minimal clean-up time.

Stir up a batch today and you'll most likely find yourself making them every day.

Slip them into kids' lunchboxes for a quick energy boost,  sandwich together with pareve vanilla ice-cream for a hassle-free dessert,  package in a pretty container and give as a sure-to-be welcomed hostess gift, make a batch when heading for the beach ... or simply reach for your mixing bowl whenever the craving for something sweet hits.

Now that's what I mean by a 'safety net' recipe.

CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER & CHOC CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients

1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter

1/2 cup white or brown sugar (you can reduce this slightly if desired)

1 teaspoon baking powder

Salt, a generous pinch

1 large or extra large egg

Chocolate chips (optional)*

Equipment: Bowl, wooden spoon and baking tray.

Method

1: Mix peanut butter, sugar, baking powder, salt and egg in a deep bowl with a spoon until properly combined, then stir in chocolate chips.

2: Drop teaspoonfuls onto baking paper – allow plenty of space between them as they spread – and press down lightly with a fork dipped in sugar.

3: Add extra chocolate chips to the surface of each cookie if desired then bake at 160 C for approximately 15 minutes till lightly golden.

4: Allow to cool and firm up completely before removing from baking paper.

Cook’s Notes:

The fact that this recipe does not include flour - or anything resembling flour like ground nuts - is not a typing error. Amazingly, you need only these basic ingredients to produce these always fabulous cookies. 

The cookie dough is very wet when it is first mixed. If you have the time, allow to firm in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour, and then roll into small balls and place on tray. Note that cookies ARE very soft when they come out of the oven but firm up on cooling. Be careful not to overcook them as you will lose their chewy appeal and they may be over-crisp.

Alternative Add Ins:

In addition to chocolate chips, you can also add M & M's, Smarties or even jellybeans for kid-friendly appeal. If adding candy, I recommend that you add these only when the cookies first come out of the oven, and they will stay in position when the cookies cool and firm. Alternatively, press into cookies just before the end of baking time, and return to the oven for a few more minutes to set the candy in place. This prevents the sugar coated chocolate buttons from cracking open in the oven. In addition to chocolate chips, you can add cranberries or raisins. Cranberries and white chocolate chips are especially good together. You can also add extra texture with the addition of a few tablespoons of old fashioned oats.

Join the Delicious Family: If you enjoyed this recipe, then you'll love Delicious classes with their focus on quick, easy, family-friendly cooking. Cooking and table décor classes are held mornings and evenings in a kosher kitchen in Hod Hasharon. To sign up for my FREE newsletter with recipes, course news and shopping hints – write to delicious.newsletter@gmail.com or go online at www.deliciouskitchen.weebly.com.