3rd Generation Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nate's a guy who appreciates the good, simple things in life. For his birthday he asked for Chocolate Chip cookies. Nothing fancy, nothing with nuts, just "normal" cookies. Hmm.. I can do that!
I just happened to have a great chocolate chip cookie recipe that has been a favorite for generations in my family. This recipe was originally made by my step-mom's grandmother. I never met her as she passed away when my step mom was a teenager, but I like to think we're honoring her every time we make them. If she was anything like these cookies, she must have one heck of a woman.

3rd Generation Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields about 5 dozen 3 inch cookies

1 cup shortening (not butter flavored)
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten slightly
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks (I recommend Guittard chocolate)
1/2 cup of nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325F.

Cream together the butter/shortening and both sugars. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Then add the vanilla. In a little bowl, mix the baking soda and hot water together and mix well. Add to the batter and mix. Add the salt and the flour and mix until well combined and no pockets of flour remain. Add the chocolate chips and nuts (if you're using them).

Drop tablespoon sized dough onto Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown. Let the cookies rest on the baking pan for a minute or two until they firm up slightly. Cool on a wire rack until room temperature.