Pesto | Walnuts, Orange Zest, Parmesan, and Fresh Basil | Yield about 2 dozen.

Inspired by pesto I see on pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches, this cookie offers a familiar, savory flavor as it celebrates the cookie. Walnuts, orange zest, and Parmesan cheese add an interesting bit of flavor, and fresh basil finishes the cookie with a delicious closing taste. Refrigerated for a couple of hours or frozen for 30 minutes, the dough slices nicely and you can use a slice of basil leaf for decoration. The texture is between cookie and shortbread, a little dense and a little crumbly.

Ingredients

Step 1:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup sugar

Step 2:
2 large egg yolks
1 Tablespoon orange juice
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped fine
1 Tablespoons orange zest

Step 3:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup walnuts, chopped fine
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Step 4:
If desired, basil leaves for cookie decoration as shown in photo above

Baking Instructions

Step 1:
Cream butter and sugar.

Step 2:
Mix into above.

Step 3:
Stir together and mix into above.

Step 4:
Form dough into a 2″ log wrapped in parchment paper or waxed paper. Press log on counter so that it forms a rectangular shape rather than a round shape.
Freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours.
Slice dough ¼” thin.
Arrange slices on a parchment lined or nonstick baking sheet.
Use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut small decorative basil leaf, press onto cookie.
Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms are a light golden brown.
Let sit for a couple of minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.