Best Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

I spent the afternoon with one of my sisters, and helped her bake cookies to take to work tonight (She's a waitress at a fancy-schmancy Italian restaraunt). We made this recipe we've been making since we were little...it's actually from an old children's cookbook from the 60s. I think it was my mom's when she was little. Anyway, they're very basic, but they're almost fool-proof. They taste good and always turn out looking picture-perfect too!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Heat oven to 375*

1. Mix thoroughly in bowl:

1/3 cup soft shortening
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

2. Stir together in another bowl:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

3. Mix dry ingredients into shortening mixture.

4. Thoroughly work in:

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet (I always use a minature ice-cream scooper and spray my pan with cooking spray).

Bake 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned but still soft. Cool on wire rack.