Orange Cornmeal Cookies

It never ceases to amaze me what chefs and bakers throw in a bowl together to create dinner and dessert. When I peruse recipes and read an ingredient list that doesn't "add up" I cannot help myself from reading the entire recipe because I need to know how they plan to make it work.

I have learned over the years that everything works together....EVERYTHING! I added a Granny Smith Apple to soup last week for Pete's sake and it was fantastic, so in my world...in my kitchen...anything goes!

When I saw this cookie recipe in a magazine and the title read "Lime and Cornmeal Cookies" I was like...."Of course!" ;)

It was late evening when I came upon this little gem, so bright and early the next morning I was in the kitchen creating this weird cookie. The recipe gave permission to substitute orange juice and orange zest for the lime, and since I had no lime at the time, I went with orange.

Delicious!

The recipe suggested drizzling melted chocolate over the orange cookies, but I felt the chocolate dominated the delicate taste of the cookie, so I went with the icing instead.

These cookies are refreshing and delightful. You could eat seven of them in one sitting and still go back for more.....or is that just me?

I made them one week later with lime and orange for comparison purposes and I personally prefer the orange. My "taste-testers" loved them both and made it clear that they would be perfectly happy if I made either of them again.


Orange Cornmeal Cookies

1-1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Cornmeal
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1/2 Cup Sugar
One Egg
One Tablespoon Orange Zest
One Tablespoon Orange Juice Concentrate
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and beat gently. Add vanilla, orange juice and zest. Then add flour and cornmeal and mix until a nice dough forms.

Roll into a ball and chill for at least one hour. Roll into a log and chill in fridge for 4-8 hours. Slice 1/4 inch thick slices and place on baking stone. Bake for 11-12 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

When cooled, drizzle with icing.