The Victorian language of flowers is one which I find very intriguing. They were known for making bouquets with different flowers, and that bouquet would actually tell a message based on which flowers were given to you! Rosemary, however, has a significance which dates back even further. There is a famous line in Hamlet:
Rosemary was used in all kinds of religious ceremonies that ranged from weddings to funerals. At weddings, a twig of rosemary was entwined in the bridal wreath, after being dipped into scented water. Individual rosemary branches were richly decorated and tied with multicolored silk ribbons. They were presented to wedding guests as a symbol of friendship and love. Rosemary was also given as a New Year’s gift.
Sprigs of Rosemary were carried at funerals, and distributed to the mourners, to be thrown on to the coffin after it had been lowered into the grave. This custom of giving mourners a twig of rosemary before leaving the house for the funeral still prevails in many parts of Wales.
You learn something new every day, right? I bet if you give these darling cookies to someone, they will remember you too. Perhaps, in return they will buy you a giant designer bag, no? Well, one can hope. I am making these for Mr P. Maybe they will jog his memory 
. Aside from that, I think this would be a really yummy cookie for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 90g cup butter, chilled
- 2 tablespoons sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
- 100 grams of melted chocolate for dipping
Preparation
1. Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until mixture forms a ball.
2. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut with a 2-inch cookie cutter; place on lightly greased baking sheets.
3. Bake at 325F/160C for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Melt your favourite chocolate using a double boiler method. Dip shortbread hearts into the chocolate, let cool on wax paper. Do not let them cool in the fridge, however, because this will cause the chocolate to discolour.
Catching up with my blog reading after the big trip!
These are gorgeous!