2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup tightly-packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or M&Ms (optional)
8-12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
8-12 oz. ghiradelli milk chocolate chips (adjust chip amounts based on preference.)

CREAM shortening, butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoon, two inches apart, on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until light brown. Cool slightly before removing from sheet.

YIELD: about 6 dozen