2/3 c. shortening
2/3 c. butter
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped nuts
2 (6 oz.) pkgs. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. With electric mixer, thoroughly combine shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, soda and salt together and slowly add to moist mixture. (For a softer, more round cookie, add 1/2 cup flour.) Add chopped nuts and chocolate chips and drop by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool slightly before removing from baking sheet. Makes about 7 dozen cookies.

Variations: Add any of the following to replace chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Use any combination you desire: salted peanuts, coconut, cereal, candied cherries, maraschino cherries, dates, gumdrops, M&M candy.