Ginger Pecan Chews

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened

1/2 cup molasses

1 jar crystallized ginger -- chopped

--2.7 ounces, about 1/2 cup 1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecans -- chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix the sugar, margarine, molasses, crystallized ginger and egg in a large bowl. Stir in the flour, ground ginger, baking soda and salt. Stir in the pecans. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Press a pecan half in the center of each cookie, if desired. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until almost no indentation remains when touched in the center. Immediately remove from the cookie sheets. Cool on wire racks. Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen.