Juneau's Tamale Shop

Preheat oven to 400ºF. In medium saucepan combine water and Butter Flavor Crisco. Heat to rolling boil. Add Pillsbury BESTflour and salt, stirring until mixture forms a ball. Continue to cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add eggs all at once, beating until smooth.
Drop by 1/2-teaspoonfuls at least 1-1/2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool away from draft. Meanwhile, prepare one of the fillings.
For shrimp filling, in medium mixing bowl blend cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in cocktail sauce, tarragon, pepper and garlic powder. Add shrimp, water chestnuts and scallions. Mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
For chicken filling, in medium mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
To fill, cut off tops of cooled cream puffs. Remove dough filaments from inside. Fill with desired filling. Replace tops.

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Put Crisco into a mixer bowl. Add cheese gradually, beating at medium speed until mixture is fairly smooth. Blend flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add to cheese mixture, mixing at low speed. Stir in cereal with spoon. Shape into balls, using 1 tablespoon for each ball.
Arrange balls on ungreased cookie sheets. Lightly press with a fork to make a crisscross pattern. Dip fork in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Press a pecan half onto top of each, if desired.
Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool for 10 to 12 minutes on cookied sheet, then remove to a rack to cool.