It’s been hotter than a barrel of firecrackers in Texas this summer. But it’s never too hot for heat-lovin’ chile-heads to reach for their favorite treats.
Ruby Wilcox’s Hot Lips Cookie Crisps
This recipe is from China’s seventh mystery, Chile Death. Readers ask for it more often than any other in the series. Great for parties, but you might want to post a warning. These cookies are not as innocent as they look!
1 cup soft shortening
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup finely chopped cashews
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon habanero powder (more, if you dare. Not sure about habaneros?)
Cream butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and eggs and mix well. Mix the dry ingredients with the nuts and stir into the creamed mixture. Roll out like a log, about 2″ in diameter. Chill. Slice and bake in a 325° F oven until golden, about 10-12 minutes.
You’ll find a Texas chili recipe here, plus questions on Chile Death for your reading group.
Many thanks to those who participated on this week’s discussion of place! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you, so please stay in touch. I’ll be back on Monday (Labor Day) with the September issue of All About Thyme, a spinoff newsletter of the China Bayles mysteries.
Cashews and cashew yogurt have become a mainstay in my diet in recent years. And had to give up onions and garlic (which I loved) some long time ago. This got me using various chilies in many recipes as a flavor and heat substitute. I feel like I have been in training for Ruby's Cookies! So glad Sue Tweit (below) mentioned Pumpkin Posole. I found a recipe online and will look forward to trying it, too!
Speaking of Ruby, some months ago I had a dream in which China and Ruby were on the King Ranch tracking down a 'bad guy'. Their car broke down and they sought out some horses to keep going. China got a fast Quarter horse, but Ruby had to settle for a recalcitrant burro that took her where it wanted to go! In all ways Ruby, the burro took her right to the bad guy! Long legged Ruby perched on that burro like a grasshopper still makes me smile. 😃
Thanks for always sharing with us, Susan. Your new digs on the internet are working well. Happy September 1st. 🌻