ROSEMARY COOKIES
Source: P Allen Smith

I really don't do much baking, but there are certain recipes that have become favorites of mine over the years. And they can always lure me back into the kitchen. One of these is for a simple cookie and it includes one of my favorite herbs, rosemary.

This is regarded as the herb of remembrance and friendship so it is certainly appropriate to use it around the beginning of the New Year when so many friends and family get together.

It all begins with a basic sugar or butter cookie recipe of your choice.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 scant teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Blend together the butter, shortening, sugar and eggs until creamy.

Sift flour into the mixture then add the other dry ingredients; the cream of tartar, soda and salt, and blend together. Next add the most important ingredient at least when it comes to flavor, 2 scant teaspoons of fresh chopped rosemary.

Form the dough into small balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Press the balls flat with the bottom of a drinking glass that has been dipped in sugar. This gives them a nice crunchy glaze.

Slide them into a pre-heated 400 degree oven for only about 8 minutes. It's a good idea to loosen the cookies as soon as you take them from the oven.

This is a great way to enjoy both the flavor and aroma of rosemary.