Butter Almond Cookies

While life in Paris had its hardships, getting up every morning had a touch of luxury because my roommate and I lived near an excellent patisserie. Except for very well-known shops like Fauchon or Lenôtre, whose excellence goes unquestioned, the best pastry shops have a sign in the window that reads pur beurre, meaning that no speck of margarine or shortening is ever used. If only we could be so reassured in this country. But we lived near such a place, Chez Pierre, and took turns going out