Maria Cookie Sammies

Recorded 2-22-10

12 Maria cookies [look in Hispanic food section of your mega-mart]
2 T dark fruit preserves
2 T sunflower seed butter [Target and Trader Joe sells] or coarse natural peanut butter
1 T toasted walnuts or pecans [see NOTE]

Spread a teaspoon of nut butter on a cookie. Dip the sticky side into a dish spread with finely-chopped nuts. Spoon a teaspoonful of a rich dark preserves (black current, black raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, plum etc.) onto the nutty side. Complete the sandwich with another cookie.

Makes 6 sammies. Julian ate two quite willingly. He's two.

NOTE   
Spread a cupful of walnut or pecan pieces in a baking pan. Place in a preheated oven at 275 ºF. Toast for 10 minutes or at the first smell of nutty aroma. Let cool at room temperature. Chop very finely to the consistency of coarse sand. I keep a bowl of toasted walnuts in my mise en place. Great to toss into whatever you are eating or just nab a handful as a quick energy boost from high quality fats and proteins. Toasting enhances flavor and improves digestibility.