Coconut Lime Mexican Wedding Cookies

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Who doesn’t love Mexican Wedding cookies? Add lime and coconut and they are perfection! This is adapted from Fine Cooking.

Ingredients:
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c confectioners’ sugar; more for coating
1/2 c coarsely chopped pecans
1/4 c sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
Zest from 1 lime
1 tsp vanilla

In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a food processor, combine the confectioners’ sugar, the pecans, and the coconut. Process until the pecans are finely ground. With an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the pecan mixture and beat until well blended. Beat in the lime zest and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap in plastic, and chill until firm, about 3 hours.

Heat the oven to 350°F. Measure the dough into heaping teaspoon-size pieces and roll each piece between your palms to form a ball. Put the balls 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; bake until the edges of the cookies barely begin to brown, 12 to 14 min. Let cool on the sheets for 3 to 4 minutes and then roll in confectioners’ sugar while still very warm. Repeat rolling to create a delicate powdery coating.

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Brussels Sprouts with Pecorino

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I love brussel sprouts and this brings in two of my other loves cheese and nuts!

Ingredients:
1/4 c pine nuts, toasted
1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/4 c Pecorino cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 TBSP lemon juice

Heat the oven to 500°F.

Place brussel sprouts on a oiled baking sheet, spray with olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Spread out to an even layer.

Roast, stirring about halfway through the cooking time, until browned and just tender, about 20 to 25 minutes total.

Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a bowl and set them aside to cool for 5 minutes. Add the toasted pine nuts, cheese, and lemon juice and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Serves 4.