Nuts and nostalgia mingle in not-too-sweet nuggets

The continuing debate over the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present exhibit has focused significantly on what the exhibit leaves out.

Some critics argue that the exhibit should have explained the United Nations Partition Plan, the Arab rejection of that plan, the 1948 invasion by neighbouring Arab states, the displacement of Jews from Arab countries, Hamas, October 7, the hostages and the reasons for Israeli security measures.

Others argue with equal conviction that it should also have addressed the Deir Yassin massacre, the expansion of Israeli settlements, decades of occupation, the Right of Return, changing demographic realities and the experiences of Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East.

All of those subjects matter. Many remain the subject of legitimate scholarly debate. But the controversy points to a broader question that extends well beyond this particular exhibit.

On the seventh day of Homemade Holidays, Free Press copy editor Denise Duguay gives to us a sweet, sentimental cookie recipe for Nutty Nuggets.

From Denise: “This recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who got it from her mother-in-law. Both are gone now (2021 and 2020, respectively) but I had the opportunity to make the Nugs with both my in-laws, who personified perfectionism in the best possible way: all things done for loved ones should be done to utter perfection. Great stress for me that first time and although they both hovered, they did so with a wink and a smile. ‘Are these nuts chopped finely enough?’ and when rolling the dough into balls, ‘Are these the right size?’ Multiple do-overs were required, but the results were 100 per cent.

“After mother-in-law Shirley’s passing, my father-in-law tentatively asked if I’d like to make the Nutty Nuggets with him. I was in a new apartment with an oven I wasn’t fully familiar with and we were both trying very hard not to cry but we managed a full batch, parcelled into plastic tubs for him, me and my brother-in-law’s family, which includes a fourth generation of Nutty Nugget lovers. One year, we’ll invite that new generation to join us in the annual bake. And that will be another lump in the throat.

“Beyond the sentimental connection, I love this recipe because it has all the buttery goodness of shortbread with only a fraction of the sweetness (I roll only half the cookie dough balls in sugar) and a satisfying nut-and-chocolate crunch.”