USE THE FORKS!
Star Wars Cooking
by Kathy Bejma

I think the reason why I love Qui-Gon so much is that he’s such a rebel – A rebel with a pony tail! He’s a powerful, wise Jedi master, but he turned down a seat on the Jedi council to pursue his own path. He has no interest in power, and he’s always helpful to the lesser beings in need. Sounds pretty punk rock if you ask me. He discovered Anakin Skywalker, and knew he would bring balance to the force… eventually. He was Dooku’s padawan, which seems crazy to me- they’re so different! He was also one of the first Jedis to retain his consciousness after death, and he even taught master Yoda how to become a force ghost. Frankly, I don’t blame Shmi for having a bit of a thing for him. *wink wink knudge knudge*

Without Qui-Gon, we wouldn’t have Obi-Wan, Anakin, Luke, Leia, and possibly no Jedi force ghosts. I’d like to think that when Rey was on Ahch-to, and she was learning about the history of the Jedi, she wore her hair down as a tribute to Qui-Gon. It’s what I would have done!

Our time with Qui-Gon was short, but sweet, and I hope these Jinn-Gerbread cookies are an honorable tribute to one of the coolest Jedis of all time.

Qui-Gon Jinn-Gerbread Cookies

Makes 24

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

1.  In a small saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter.

2. Stir in the brown sugar, molasses, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves.

3. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer, and allow it to cool to just about room temperature.

4. While your mixture is cooling, in a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the baking powder baking soda, and flour. 

5. Once the butter mixture as cooled, beat in the egg. 

6. Add the flour mixture, and mix thoroughly.

7. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about an hour.

8. Just before your dough is done chilling, pre-heat your oven to 350 ° F.

9. Once your dough has been chilled, roll each portion out between two pieces of parchment paper (or onto a floured surface) until it’s about 1/8″ – 1/4″ thick. 

10. Using your floured Qui-Gon cookie cutter, cut out as many rebellious masters as you can, and place them onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

11. Bake until the edges of each cookie are slightly browned, about 8-12 minutes.

12. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for about 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

13. There’s always a bigger cookie.