Chocolate Chip Rolled Oats Cookies (USA)

Recipe by Congregational Cook Book, Emporia Kansas

1 cup shortening (or its equivalent in salted butter)
1/2 white sugar
1 tsp hot water
1 1/8 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 6 oz packages semi-sweet chocolate chips (or less if you prefer)
1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans or both)
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
2 cups rolled oats

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet.
Cream shortening and sugar until light. Add eggs. Add hot water and vanilla. Then add flour, salt and baking soda to mixture. Add oatmeal - if using a mixer, stir in by hand the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.