When I first quit drinking, I avoided social occasions where there would be copius alcohol, afraid I would be tempted. Eventually, I couldn't miss the retirement party of a close friend. It was an indoor-outdoor affair on quite a hot day, and the drinks were flowing. I was fast becoming over-sugared from the pop and juices I was consuming. A beer was beginning to look good. I needed something savory for my taste buds. Then I came across plates of these cheese cookies on the snack tables scattered around the place, and my cravings were satisfied. I didn't need a beer any more. I needed more of these cookies. I found out who had brought them and begged her for her recipe. Here it is:

Ingredients:
(Makes about 3 - 4 dozen cookies)

• 1 (8 oz) tub Imperial cheese (or 2 cups grated sharp cheese)
• 4 cups Rice Crispies
• 1 cup butter
• 1½ cups flour
• 3 drops Worcestershire sauce
• 3 drops Tabasco sauce
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon paprika

1. Cream butter and cheese together.
2. Add Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces. Blend in.
3. Add in crispies, flour, mustard, and paprika. Mix all together well.
4. Form into balls a bit bigger than a golf ball, placing balls on ungreased cookie sheet and flattening to ½ inch thich with a fork.
5. Bake in preheated 325 deg oven for about 18 minutes until golden.
   NOTE: These burn easily, so keep an eye on them and don't let them go dark.
6. Cool on a wire rack.

As I said, these were good without a beer. I bet they would be very good with a nice cold beer also.

Contributed by Ted