Savory Parmesan Shortbread Food

PARMESAN SHORTBREAD BISCUITS

Steps:

• Process the butter, flour and parmesan in a food processor until a wet crumbly dough; OR
• Alternative method: Place the flour and butter into a bowl and use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until a crumble dough forms. Then add the parmesan cheese and use your fingers to rub it into the mixture.
• If you are making rosemary biscuits, add the rosemary at the same time as the parmesan cheese.
• Lightly flour a surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead to bring together, then shape into two logs with a diameter of around 3 cm / 1.2" and about 15cm/6" in length.
• Wrap with cling wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. (Note 2)
• Preheat oven to 180°C/350F. Line 1 large baking tray or 2 ordinary baking trays with baking paper (parchment paper).
• Remove the log from the fridge and use a sharp knife to cut the log into 7mm/ 1/3" thick rounds.
• Place the biscuits onto the baking tray at least 2cm / 1" apart.
• Bake biscuits for 12 minutes or until light golden.
• Stand on trays for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

PARMESAN SHORTBREADS

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients together - using bowl and spoon, electric mixer or food processor as wished - until a golden dough begins to form a clump. Turn it out onto a surface and knead for about 30 seconds until smooth, then divide into two. Take the first half and, using your hands, roll it into a cylinder, as uniform as possible without stressing over it, about 3cm / 1¼ inches in diameter. Make sure the ends are flat, too, so that the cylinder resembles a roll of coins. Now roll this up in a piece of clingfilm, twisting the clingfilm at the ends, like a Christmas cracker, and put the roll in the fridge, then proceed in the same way with the remaining half of the dough. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/gas mark 4/350ºF while the wrapped cylinders of dough rest in the fridge for about 45 minutes, by which time you should be able to cut them into thick slices easily: aim for about 1cm / ½ inch thick. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment, and put in the oven for 15-20 minutes, when they should be just beginning to turn a pale gold at the edges. Remove from the oven, then leave to cool (if you can) before eating.

ROSEMARY PARMESAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Put the flour, sugar, rosemary, salt, and Parmesan into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the butter and pulse just until a soft dough forms; the dough should hold together when squeezed with your hands. If not, add the water and pulse until combined.
• Spread a large sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface and transfer the dough onto it. Using the plastic wrap as a guide, form the dough into a loose log along 1 edge of the long side of the sheet. Roll the dough log, twisting the plastic gathered at the ends in opposite directions until the log is tight and compact, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Slice the dough log into 1/3-inch thick slices and arrange on the lined sheets, about 1-inch apart. Bake until the edges are just beginning to brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Cool the shortbread on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store the shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to serve.

PARMESAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Line an 8 inch square pan with buttered foil.
• Beat all ingredients except flour in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy, 3-4 minutes.
• Add flour and continue to mix at lowest speed until smooth dough forms.
• Scrape dough into pan and press evenly with the back of a spoon.
• Pierce dough randomly with a floured fork.
• Bake 35 minutes until firm.
• Let cool slightly then invert pan over your cutting board.
• Remove the foil and cut the shortbread into 2 inch squares.

SAVORY PARMESAN SHORTBREAD ROUNDS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350*.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix flour, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper in food processor.
• Add butter, and using pulse, process until dough begins to come together.
• Gather dough into a ball.
• Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 12-inch log.
• Cut each log into 1-inch pieces.
• Roll each piece into a ball and arrange on baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Press each ball into 2-inch diameter rounds.
• Sprinkle remaining 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese over.
• Bake shortbread rounds until tops are dry and bottoms are golden brown; about 20 minutes.
• Transfer rounds to rack and cool completely.
• NOTE: Can be made 1 week ahead and stored in airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 1 month.

SAVOURY PARMESAN SHORTBREAD SNACKS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl with wooden spoon then mix with hands to form a smooth dough. Shape into ¾" (2cm) balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Press down with a floured fork.
• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 18 minutes or until golden around edges. Cool completely.
• More recipes are available online at flavour.ca.