so maybe I am a missionary now

I have always known that my mom is a feminist, but I never knew that her signature chocolate chip cookies are feminist as well.

This weekend, Women in Black—Belgrade celebrated its 15^th anniversary with a panel discussion, workshops, the premiere of the documentary in which I can be seen taking off clothes, a photograph exhibit, dance party, meeting, vigil, and contemporary audio-visual art performance. I made a batch of my mom’s cookies for the party (with the best results that I have had in months. Letting the butter soften for a day beforehand is the secret, I believe.) They were a huge hit—lots of compliments and people asking me for the recipe. I now have an offer to sell them at a pekara in Leskovac.

The following day, I shared the recipe before a meeting. When people read off the final instruction – bake for 6-8 minutes, a woman turned to me to say, ‘these are feminist sweets; you don’t have to spend much time in the kitchen.’

They would be even more feminist if chocolate chips could be found on this continent…

I had never thought about the general complicated-ness of desserts here. The only cookies I have eaten since my arrival have been store-bought or made by ex-pats. The homemade desserts that I have eaten are fancy cakes with lots of delicious layers or baklava, neither of which are quick or easy.

My friend N, calls herself a sweet potato evangelist. She is currently spreading her gospel in Northern Ireland. Maybe I will take a page from her book and call myself a chocolate chip cookie evangelist. Feminist and delicious: that is definitely good news.