Valles Mines, Missouri, U S A
Founded in 1749 by Francois Valle in the French Upper Louisiana before Lewis and Clark. 275 years later the Valle Mining Company's 4000+ acre property every year absorbs
21,000 tons of carbon dioxide and generates
14,000 tons of oxygen, enough to meet the needs of 63,000 people. [USDA Forest Facts]
Coconut Macaroons
MACAROONS
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flaked coconut
12 candied cherries, each cut into fourths
Heat oven to 300 degrees.
Grease cookie sheet lightly. Beat egg whites cream of tartar and salt in medium bowl until foamy.
Beat in sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
Continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat.
Fold in almond extract and coconut.
Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto cookie sheet.
Place a cherry piece on each cookie.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes or just until edges are light brown.
Cool 10 minutes; remove from cookie sheet.
Wish they grew in Missouri!
"National Coconut Week: Coconut is life." "The coconut tree...has been referred to as the tree of life..."