My parents divorced when I was just a baby. WAIT – this isn’t a sad story, so don’t leave. See, they both remarried and had more children. After a few years, my father moved from Oahu to the Big Island, and I became what he likes to call their “back and forth kid.” I spent weekends bouncing between airports to see my two families. Between the time I was 5 and 12, I flew as an “unaccompanied minor,” which meant my parents were able to walk me onto the flight (back in the days that your family could walk you to the gate, instead of leaving you at security. Remember that?!). Oh, and I had to wear those clip-on wings (which were embarrassing for longer than they were cool). Another perk was that I was almost always bumped to first class. See, when you’re a cute 5 year old with a Hello Kitty suitcase, and you fly every other weekend – and you’re probably the youngest member of the Aloha Airlines frequent flier club – flight attendants know you.
In first class, the inter island flights used to serve little packs of macadamia nuts. I’d spend the 26 minute flight sucking on the salty macadamia nuts. I never actually ate the nuts, and I’m sure I didn’t spit them out so discretely. Gross, I know you guys. But kids are weird. I’m sure the flight attendants and the other first class guests – who had actually paid for their seats – thought I was a little nuts. Um, no pun intended.
Fast forward 20+ years. [Note – typing that sentence sent me into a momentary panic. I’m getting old!] I’m not afraid to admit that I still love salty macadamia nuts. I add them to everything from baked goods to salads – but they were definitely the inspiration behind my new Salted Chocolate Chunk Macadamia Nut Cookies. This cookies are the epitome of comfort food, plus the sweet/salty ying yang that I can’t get enough of. I’m a big believer in red Hawaiian sea salt, and swear it adds a perfect kick to the earthy flavor of the mac nuts. No spit outs this time around.
Hope you love ’em!