Anis & Orange Cookies with Toasted Pine Nuts

I really only make cookies once a year...and I don't think I've ever made the same one twice. So, I'm certainly not a cookie expert...no where near the likes of Aunt Jo, that's for sure. But, I have to say this little savory cookie is worth keeping around; a lovely treat for tea with friends or as an afternoon snack. Not too sweet and super easy to make, this cookie is surprisingly not-too-terrible for you.

The recipe came from the Joy of Vegan Baking (which I highly recommend), but I altered it a tad due to slight ingredient deficiencies. The list below is my adaptation rather than the original. If you've never baked without milk, butter, or eggs before, let this be your first recipe to try it out on. When baking, what is most important are the binding, moisture, and leavening elements. Luckily, there are many of these elements found in plants which allow us to eat more compassionately and more healthfully.

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon Baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons anis seeds
• 1 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
• ¾ maple syrup
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla
• 2 tablespoon orange essence water

1. Preheat oven to 300F/180C.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, anis seeds, and pine nuts together in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, oil, water, vanilla, and orange essence.
4. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and mix until just combined.
5. From into small balls and flatten slightly on a greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes.