they don't have chocolate chips in Switzerland

So what? You might ask.
That means no chocolate chip cookies either.

If you read one of the entries in early 2006, you would know that I finally admitted that I had become quite American, so life sans chocolate chip cookies is somewhat of a disaster. They do sell PepperRidge Farm chocolate chip cookies at the Coop in town, but they are SOOOO expensive, and there are only 8 in a pack.

So, as a part of my "get my life back" project, I broke out some of the stuff I brought from the states: my 6 quart KitchenAid, cookbooks, spatula and cookie rack and got to work.

First challenge, find baking soda. Three grocery stores and 3 Swiss francs later, I was in possession of a little thing of baking soda, or whatever is in the little container that read "bicarbonate of soda" on the label.

Next, vanilla extract. I called YiChun, she said that they have them in Vienna, so I should be able to find it in Lausanne. No. Lausanne is no Vienna, so I used "Vanillazucker" - Vanilla sugar as the substitute. I had no idea what the coresponding quantity was, so I threw in the entire little pouch.

Then, chocolate chips! How the hell do I make chocolate chip cookies without chocolate chips? Well, three grocery stores late, I still couldn't find chocolate chip. So much for Switzerland's reputation as chocolate heaven. So, I bought some baking chocolate, and chopped away.

Emeril would have been proud of me. You can find the recipe here.