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Sweet White Clover Shortbread Cookies

Sweet white clover (melilotus albus) grows all over this area (Las Vegas, NM.) It is widely regarded as a weed, but the truth is, this is one wonderful plant. A nitrogen fixer, bee candy, and really an amazing culinary herb as well.

Sweet white clover is high in coumarin, the same chemical that gives that sort of perfumy note to cinnamon.

Here's a recipe that is easy and which showcases the wonderful flavor of this common roadside herb.

INGREDIENTS

foliage and blossoms from three or four branches of sweet white clover
1/2 cup sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch

In a food processor, combine the sweet white clover and sugar, and process until the leaves and blossoms are incorporated and the sugar is flecked with green.

Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the flour and cornstarch and work with your hands until the mixture becomes a cohesive, smooth dough.

Shape into a log, wrap in plastic and stick in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Preheat your oven to 350. Cut the log into quarter inch slices, put on a baking sheet, and bake for ten minutes or so until the tops of the cookies just start to take on color. Cool on a wire rack.

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