1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. water
1 c. sourdough starter
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. raisins, if desired
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans, if desired

Grease a large baking sheet; set aside. Preheat oven of 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream shortening, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla until mixture is fluffy. Stir in water and sour dough starter; set aside.

In medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into sour dough mixture. Stir in rolled oats. Stir in raisins and nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet. Cool on a rack. Clean and grease baking sheet before baking more cookies. Bakes 50-60 cookies.