This recipe from Suelle was another one I knew I was going to make as soon as I saw it on
Mainly Baking. These biscuits looked so attractive with the lovely green pistachios and brown nibs, I thought they would make good
Christmas gifts.
This is what I did:
- Creamed 110g unsalted butter with 50g caster sugar until light and fluffy
- Sifted in 125g unbleached white flour (unusual for me, but I wanted them to look pale and interesting - didn't quite work), 50g semolina and a pinch of rock salt.
- Mixed roughly together, then added 25g pistachios - roughly chopped and 20g cocoa nibs.
- Kneaded this very briefly until all incorporated.
- Rolled out to about 3mm and cut into 14 rounds - not very easy as mixture was fragile and kept breaking.
- Baked at 150C for 25 minutes.
Well, mine didn't look nearly as good as Suelle's but I'm so glad I made them as these shortbreads were delicious and went down particularly well with the recipients. They were very short, crisp and crumbly and oh so yummy. I wish I'd made a whole batch just for us. Thank you Suelle for a truly wonderful recipe.
Lovely idea - what a treat with a cuppa. I've been planning on making some shortbread with nuts and chocolate too! Hope they turn out as well as yours did ;0)
ReplyDeleteI've seen cocoa nibs for sale and wondered what to do with them! Are they bitter?
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the recipe. You may get a less crumbly dough if you knead a little longer - I think shortbreads need hand heat to soften the butter more, before the dough holds together well.
ReplyDeleteCC - I found the nibs a little on the bitter side, but in a sweet biscuit that can be a good contrast, IMO.
Love the semolina in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm off in search of cocoa nibs now.
looking lovely choclette, I too saw this recipe and put it into my must bake folder... just have Jan to get through before i'm allowing myself to bake again!
ReplyDeletei'm not a big fan of cocoa nibs, but pistachio oh i love that little green stuffs :) admire the fact that u have got uniform shape and size
ReplyDeleteChele, I'm sure yours will turn out a heap better than mine - at least in looks if not in flavour.
ReplyDeleteCC - yes, they are a bit bitter but I'd echo Suelle's comment above.
Suelle - that's interesting what you say about kneading, I'd thought shortbread was a bit like pastry and that it would get tough if handled too much. Will try what you suggest another time.
BVG - I've always used semolina in shortbread, but haven't tried cornflour, so not sure how different they would be.
Dom - only another 2 weeks to go - I'm sure you can do it, although looking at all these food blogs probably doesn't make it any easier ;-)
Ananda - cocoa nibs are an acquired taste but they were very good in these biscuits. The uniform size and shape is down to using a cutter.
Oh what a fab idea. My hubby loves pistachio, shortbread and chocolate but never had all 3 together and with Valentines around the corner I think i'll give them a whirl!!
ReplyDeleteFirst visit to your blog, but signed up as a follower so won't be my last! ;-)
mmm lovely, the bitterness of the cocoa nibs sounds perfect x
ReplyDeleteWonderful sounding recipe - thanks for sharing. Pistachios are the best nuts for taste and color and a nice add of bitter nibs sounds great.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! they sound very very yum, I do like cocoa nibs.
ReplyDeleteLove pistachios and, of course, chocolate.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great combo. They must have a great texture. I love the idea of using cocoa nibs instead of chocolate chips, I love the bitterness!
ReplyDeleteChoc, they look and sound delicious - the semolina is an unusual ingredient. I love cocoa nibs and always keep a large quantity at home, so I'm always looking for things to do with them. Thanks to you and Suelle for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteLouise - thanks for following and kind comments. Would love to know how you get on, if you do make these.
ReplyDeleteFreeRangeGirl - the cocoa nibs also provide an additional crunch contrast.
Confectionary Designs - Thank you. Do so agree with you about pistachios.
Helen - I was eating cocoa nibs as a health kick for a while, but think I prefer them in these biscuits ;-)
Janice - they do seem to be popular.
Hazel, yes I can see these would be your sort of thing. Possibly not for those who have a very sweet tooth, but I thought they were a real winner.
Celia - I always make my shortbread with semolina, gives it a little bit more substance and texture. the credit for this recipe goes entirely to Suelle.
Have cocoa nibs...so can do. I was wondering what to do with the little fellas. Thanks Choc!
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea! They look very tasty :)
ReplyDeleteI keep looking for cocoa nibs but can't find them. The shortbread is making me rather hungry!
ReplyDeleteCityHippy - I think I preferred these to Paul A Young's cocoa nib cookies I made back in May (still haven't made his tea loaf!)
ReplyDeleteRaffaella - thank you
Nic - most health food shops should sell them.
Oh they look good to me Choclette.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI could taste the fluffiness and as well as the texture of pistachios. A plus for cocoa nibs and this would drive me nuts wanting for more. Bakeylicious.
ReplyDeleteMangoCheeks - sounds like you are starting to get the chocolate bug ;-)
ReplyDeleteMoogie - thank you for following.
Buywow - thank you
Hello, went off in search of cocao nibs but couldn't find them in local supermarket. I assume they are different to Chocolate Chips? Any ideas where to get them from?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks
Louise - Cocoa Nibs are a pre-chocolate product and are very different to chocolate chips. You should find them in a health food shop or a good chocolate shop.
ReplyDeletethanks, i would never have looked in a health food shop so good job I asked! With pistachios and cocoa nibs these must be positively good for you then!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo simple to make. I must go out to buy some pistachios.
ReplyDelete