Beautiful White Wine Cookies

This is a cookie that will make your family and guests (should they last that long) want more.

• 1/2 tsp. anise seeds
• 1/2 cup Pinot Grigio white wine
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for garnish
• 1/3 cup Crisco oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking trays with parchment and set aside.

Use a mortar and pestle to lightly crush the anise seeds. Put in a small bowl and add the wine and vanilla. Let this all steep for about 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Make a well in the center, add the oil and, using a strainer,  add the wine mixture, discarding the anise seeds. With a wooden spoon, stir until the dough comes together. Turn out on a surface and knead a couple of times.

Divide the dough into walnut size pieces and, one at a time, roll out to a 3-3 1/2 inch rope. Pinch the two ends together to form a ring and place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each cookie with sugar and bake for about 20-25 minutes until a lovely golden brown. Transfer to a rack to completely cool. These may be stored up to 4 days. I will bet you they don’t last 2 days.

Yum….serve with a special dessert like a Crème Brulee or a Sabayon.