Costco Connection - September 2012

Baking light, done right—and fast. Chewy Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

later. There’s much more wish fulfillment in
24. Jack Bauer was really a hero for that time
at a point where America felt a bit helpless,”
he says. “Ten years later, things are more
complex. A lot of stuff has happened in the
interim that has become the subject of debate,
and I don’t think that debate was possible on
the heels of the tragedy itself.”
But the mission remains the same for
Gansa. “No matter what
I’m doing, it’s always
about creating complex,
compelling characters
who are caught up in
impossible situations,”
he says. “I think with
Homeland we’re doing
that really, really well.”
—J. Rentilly

Parks and Recreation

NBCUNIVERSAL

The television com-edies of 36-year-old Mike Schur, producer of NBC hits The Office and Parks and Recreation, wring all-American hilarity from sweetness and warmth, with a solid scoop of buffoonery and tomfoolery, and it’s no accident. The comedic maestro in Schur was born when he was 10 years old.

“I was home sick from school, and I
found Without Feathers [a collection of humor
essays by Woody Allen] on my parents’
bookshelf and stayed up all night reading it,”
Schur says. “I was sicker than ever the next
day, but I had kind of seen the world in
color for the first time.”
For Schur, it was the “goofy, silly, friendly,
warm, not at anyone’s expense” aspect of Allen’s
wit that most connected with his youthful
funny bone. “It was ‘happy humor,’ ” Schur
says. “That’s what Parks and Recreation is.”
Finding the folly in the body politic, min-
ing big and good-hearted laughs from the per-
sonal foibles and career land mines of
small-town government workers, Parks, whose
fourth season is being released on DVD this
month, is one of NBC’s top-rated sitcoms.
Schur says the series, which recently chroni-
cled lead character Leslie Knope’s (Amy
Poehler) run for office, supported by her cote-
rie of oddball cronies, is a team effort.

“[The show] is about people in a small community who all know each other, care about each other and work together to do better. The theme of the show is that you can’t do anything alone,” says the Midwest-bred Schur. “I believe that, and so do the characters I write. I think that’s a good and proper and pleasant way to live your life. It’s certainly how our show is made.”—JR

For 25 years, the experts at Cooking Light have shown home cooks how to create delicious, healthful meals. Now, in their latest cookbook, they o;er quick and easy baking recipes that can be used every day. Don’t just cook light, bake light.

Oxmoor House | paperback | cookbook | available early September | Item #683774

4. 5 ounces all-purpose ;our (about 1 cup)

1⁄ 3 cup unsweetened cocoa 1⁄ 2 teaspoon baking powder 1⁄ 4 teaspoon baking soda 1⁄ 4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1⁄ 3 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg

2⁄ 3 cup dried tart cherries
3 tablespoons semisweet
chocolate chips
Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Weigh or lightly spoon ;our into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine ;our and next 4 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. With mixer at low speed, gradually add ;our mixture; beat just until combined. Stir in cherries and chocolate chips.

2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake for 12 minutes or just until set. Remove from oven; cool on pans 5 minutes.

Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

Serves 30 (serving size: 1 cookie).

CALORIES 80; FA T 2.7g (sat 1.3g, mono 1.1g, poly 0.1g); PROTEIN 1.1g; CARB 13.4g;

FIBER 0.8g; CHOL 12mg; IRON 0.4mg; SODIUM 56mg; CALC 10mg

WAREHOUSE ONLY

Two modern couples struggle to keep their small, funky music store a;oat when an ex-NFL quarterback announces plans to build a mega- store nearby—signaling certain doom for their vulnerable enterprise. An intimate epic, set to the funky beat of jazz and classic vinyl, Telegraph Avenue is Michael Chabon at his very best. HarperCollins Publishers | September 11 | Item #671066

The great American novel
we’ve been waiting for
Time is
truly
precious

;e inventor of the world’s ;rst clock is punished for trying to measure God’s greatest gi;.

Now he must redeem himself by teaching two earthly people the true meaning of time, in a world that is dominated by the hour-counting he so innocently began. ;e Time Keeper is Mitch Albom’s most recent inspiring work.

Hyperion | hardcover | ;ction | on sale September 4 | Item #671066

Books may not be available in all locations. All book jackets are subject to change. Political opinions expressed in books carried by Costco in no way re;ect the opinions of Costco’s management, buying staff, or The Costco Connection.