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The loss of Taste of Haven on Albuquerque's West Side (technically in Rio Rancho, ok, ok) means that to get chile so hot it can even affect me in drastic GI ways, I must now go back to Santa Fe to the original location.

For shame….

…I often find the most reliably satisfying fuel of each day is my enormous lunch salad.  It's a formula with minor deviations and by now, so standard that it is comforting like a mug of cocoa.

I realize that many of the meals I create for myself are in the 'fuel' category, and when I eat out it is dining and pleasure and the experience of new things.  The division works for me.

Plus I get to really enjoy those meals out when my belly isn't full from a fast-food lunch or something equally heavy…

My internet cookies are safe and secure, allowing me continued access to sites far and wide – that is, until I clear my cache.

On the other hand, actual cookies are far more temporary in their existence, especially my favorites here in the Duke City:

1.  Triple Ginger at Flying Star.

- It can do no wrong.  Fresh, powdered, and candied ginger is married with dark sugar and plenty of icing drizzles.  It is chewy to the Nth power, huge in size, and still a bargain after a price increase from $1.69 to $1.99.

2.  Ginger Chocolate Chip from The Grove Cafe

- hefty in flavor but reasonable in size.  The perfect companion to the BEST cup of coffee in Albuquerque.

3.  Oatmeal Raisin from Murphy's Mule Barn

- sold in a ziploc baggie 3 to a bunch for a mere $1.25, they are both crumbly and chewy with the bonus addition of walnuts.  Brilliant and very obviously homemade.

4.  Walnut Butter Cookies from Roma Street Cafe & Deli

- Can you tell I like walnuts yet?

I've not really gotten into the cupcake phenomenon, so I remain a steadfast chewy cookie fan, from way back when I was little and my absolute favorite was "Ranger" cookies – essentially oatmeal raisin with coconut in the dough.

Cookie finds in town you'd like to share?