Think of a cowboy. He’s probably wearing a wide-brimmed hat, jeans, and boots, walking into a saloon and asking for a whiskey with a drawl. But no matter what you pictured him wearing or doing, you probably didn’t envision him as an Asian dude. For much of my childhood, I didn’t either. Leafing through American history textbooks at school, I never saw vivid portrayals of the diverse cultures that shaped the Old West. But I later learned that Asians, including Chinese migrants and laborers, were instrumental in building the Transcontinental Railroad. There were, in fact, Asian cowboys. Even today, you can find Asian American cowboys in the Midwest. I dedicate these cookies to the unsung heroes who played a key role in the United States’ westward expansion. According to legend, cowboy cookies sustained the cowboys of the Old West. To give the oat- and pecan-packed treats an Asian spin, I include aromatic cardamom and ground ginger to add fragrant depth. Miso replaces salt, bringing subtle umami. The choice of walnuts, a major Chinese export, is a departure from the traditional pecans. I like to imagine these big and chewy cookies might have comforted the forgotten migrants and laborers. This recipe is my small way of celebrating Chinese railroad workers and Asian cowboys. – Kat Lieu