rosemary shortbread

rosemary is a bit of an unsung hero in the herb family, perhaps because it is really only worth using fresh.. between a good loaf of rosemary bread warm out of the oven and this subtly-sweet shortbread, I am a believer. so much so that this has become one of my signature baked goods and the subject of my background photo…

here’s how the magic happens..
blend in a bowl:
1 c (2 sticks) butter, (vegan or otherwise) softened to room temperature
2 c flour
1/2 c confectionary sugar
1/4 c fresh rosemary, chopped

blend until well mixed and forms a ball.. here’s where you have two choices..
1. press the dough into the bottom of a bread pan or roll into a log and chill.   then slice the chilled roll into 1/8 inch thick slices (easier) or..
2. roll out the dough on several cookie sheets, chill on the cookie sheet, then cut out shapes, reform ball and repeat until all the dough is used.

either way you then place the cut or rolled dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. sprinkle or grind a little salt onto the raw cookies then cook in an oven at 350° for 15 min or until the edges of the shortbread turn golden brown..

I enjoy them plain or drizzled with a little chocolate ganache*
**melt some good quality semi-sweet choc chips with a splash of (soy)milk or crème in a double boiler, put it in a plastic bag and cut the corner out, let the magic drizzle out while you pass over a tray of cookies.

ethics tested, and I passed!

I have been in the process of transferring my teaching license to Utah so I can more sustainably teach and pay off student loans (incurred to get said license…)  It has been longer than I had hoped and with plenty of the hoop jumping and the bureaucracy I can look forward to when working in the public school system.  The most enjoyable part so far was taking a 30 question ethics test..  It is indeed a funny thing to take a multiple choice test on!  included below is one of my favorite questions..

9. A counselor is teaching a health class. The counselor explains to the students that no form of contraception is 100% effective. The counselor also explains that in her estimation, the Great Creator never intended for humans to have sexual relationships for any purpose other than procreation and will give AIDS to any person who has sex outside of marriage or for any purpose other than the creation of a baby. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the counselor's actions?

• A The counselor has violated the Utah Educator Standards requiring that teachers communicate with civility with students.
• B The counselor has violated the Utah Educator Standards prohibiting educators from promoting personal opinions as part of the instructional process in a manner inconsistent with law.
• C The counselor has not violated the Utah Educator Standards because she has academic freedom to encourage discussion in the manner she thinks will best elicit a response from students.
• D The counselor has not violated the Utah Educator Standards because the Standards only apply to teachers