When this months theme for Progressive Eats was announced by my friend Laura I knew that I wanted to redo these cookies. I originally posted this recipe SEVEN years ago and it was long past time for a redo. Not just photos though. Nope, since that first time I've modified them a bit and I love them even more.
Our menu this month features all dishes that include our favorite herbs and I love that I can contribute a dessert. Who knew? We've got a great mix of other dishes too from a cocktail to side dishes; all recipes showing just how versatile these garden favorites can be! Hosting this month is Laura from the blog Mother Would Know.
I've grown rosemary for years and always in a large pot; as a matter of fact all of my herbs are pot grown. While it can be a perennial in some areas of the country, in Denver our winters get too cold and I've always got to start a new plant each spring. I managed to keep one alive inside this past year all through the winter and sat it outside too soon. It got blasted with a late season snow and bit the dust. Grand experiment was both a success and a failure but no matter...I bought more and they're thriving. I love having parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme right outside my door; as well as chives, cilantro, and mint!
When I first made this as plain Rosemary Shortbread, I used a recipe I had found on Saveur. It sounded...I don't know, not bad, not good, but unique and it did combine two things I love; rosemary and shortbread and I was intrigued. I LOVE rosemary and well, who doesn't love shortbread so I decided I had to try it.
Though I forged ahead I kept thinking; this can't be right; an herb I normally would use in savory dishes in a cookie with powdered sugar on top? That recipe was simply dusted with powdered sugar and I was almost shocked with just how amazing they were. Still over the years I've fiddled a bit and I can't deny; I love these even more. Feel free to just go the powdered sugar route if you prefer but I just love the extra tang of lemon in the glaze. Actually I love everything about this cookie. Easy, delicious, and elegant enough for a company dessert.
I've added a couple of things; all relatively subtle but overall really boosted the flavor. I mean really...who doesn't love lemon with their rosemary? A bit of lemon in the dough, some vanilla, the lemon glaze and some herbed sugar to top it all off. Seriously help me...I will eat them all by myself if someone doesn't come over and pry this plate out of my hands!
I served the Rosemary and Lemon Shortbread Cookies with a delicious and refreshing Raspberry Lemongrass Iced Tea from The Women's Bean Project. Have you heard of them? Started in Denver many years ago, their first efforts were putting together packages of ingredients for soup with beans; hence the name. Their mission is to hire women with challenging pasts and teach them to work by creating great products. Being productive and supporting their families helps women find their purpose and end the cycle of poverty.
Over the past three years, their average program graduation rate is 77%, their average job placement rate is 98% and the average one-year job retention rate is 93%. These results are gaining national attention as compared to the retention rate of their peer programs which hovers at only 53%.
Sales from products generate approximately 70% of their operating revenue and allow them to run a business and pay women a steady income while learning the skills they need to get and keep a job. I've been supporting them for many years; it's a great program and they do rely on purchases to thrive. Please visit their site at http://womensbeanproject.com if you're interested in supporting a great cause though food. Today they have a wide assortment of available products; I've shown some samples above but if nothing else? Get one or more of those bean packets. They've got several mixtures and I like to keep a supply on hand; I've never been disappointed.
Don't forget to check out my friends contributions to Progressive Eats after the Recipe. Laura's title is so perfect...Summer Herbs Every Which Way!
by Creative Culinary
Summer Herbs Every Which Way
Cocktail
Appetizer
Main Course
Side Dishes
Dessert
If you're unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Enjoy!
