Chinese Almond Cookies

__________________________________________________

            FOOD FUNNY
__________________________________________________

Have I ever mentioned that my favorite oxymoron is "marital bliss?"
Here's one from Marsha Curtis:

Grandpappy and his wife were discussing their 50th wedding
anniversary when she asked, "Shall I kill a chicken tonight?"

"Naw," said Grandpappy. "Why blame a bird for something that
happened 50 years ago?"

__________________________________________________

            TODAY'S RECIPE
__________________________________________________

These delicate cookies melt in your mouth and are the perfect
finish for a picnic.

Chinese Almond Cookies

4 cups (1 L) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups (625 ml) sugar
4 tsp (20 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
1 lb (450 g) vegetable shortening
2 eggs, beaten
4 tsp (20 ml) almond extract
Almond halves for garnish
Additional egg for glaze

In a large bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking
soda together. Gradually beat in the shortening. When the
shortening is well blended, add beaten eggs and almond extract.
If mixture is sticky, add one or two more tablespoons flour. When
mixture is well blended, remove from bowl and separate into four
portions. Shape each portion into a log about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in
diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly grease baking sheets. Remove
logs from refrigerator and cut each log into pieces 3/4 inch (2 cm)
thick. Use your hands to roll each slice into a ball. Place the balls
on cookie sheets and flatten slightly with your finger tips. Brush
gently with beaten egg and place half an almond in the center of
the cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes (do not allow cookies to brown,
they should be almond colored). Remove from oven and let cookies
cool on cookie sheets for about two minutes, then remove to racks
to cool completely. (They tend to crumble if you remove immediately
to racks.) Store in tightly covered tins. Makes 7-8 dozen.
Received on Thu Jul 6 00:17:54 2006