French Sables Food

LINZER SABLéS

Steps:

• Whisk together the ground nuts, flour, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars and salt together at medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Meanwhile, using a fork, stir the egg and water together in a small bowl and add it to the butter/sugar mixture. Turn off the mixer, add the dry ingredients, then turn it on low and mix only until they disappear into the dough.
• Divide the dough in half. Working with one half at a time, put the dough between two large sheets of wax paper. Using your hands, flatten the dough into a disk, then grab a rolling pin and roll out the dough, turning it over frequently so that the paper doesn't cut into it, until it is about 1⁄4 inch thick. Leave the dough in the paper and repeat with the second piece of dough. Transfer the wrapped dough to a baking sheet (to keep it flat) and refrigerate or freeze it until it is very firm, about 2 hours in the refrigerator or about 45 minutes in the freezer. The rolled-out dough can be wrapped airtight and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just thaw the dough enough to cut out the cookies and proceed from there.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Working with one piece of dough at a time and using a cookie cutter, cut out rounds of dough. Place the circles of dough on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, about 1½-inches apart. Gather the scraps so you can re-roll with the next batch. Bake, 11-13 minutes.
• Cookies are done when there's color around the edges and on the bottom. Let cool 5 minutes, then sandwich with a teaspoon of raspberry jam (thinned with a splash of water and heated in the microwave). Finish with a dusting of confectioners' sugar just before serving.

SAVORY SAGE-PARMESAN SABLES

Steps:

• Cream the butter. You can use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand held mixer. Add the Parmesan, sage, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the flour and combine until large crumbs form. About 1 minute.
• On a floured wooden board roll the dough into a 9 inch long log. Wrap the log in plastic or foil and rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven on Convection 350°F Line a baking sheet with a silicon pad or parchment paper.
• Cut the log in 24 equal slices that are 3/8 inch of thickness. Use a very sharp small kitchen knife.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until very lightly browned. Rotate the pan once during the baking time.
• Cool the shortbread and serve at room temperature. I served mine with olives and a good red wine.
• Enjoy!