I think most Scots have their own family recipe for shortbread. Mine uses rice flour as well as flour, and gives a very light texture to the shortbread. I have a lovely shortbread mould that has been in the family for a very long time - this is the amount of ingredients to fill that mould!
5 oz plain flour 3 tablespoons rice flour 2 oz caster sugar 4 oz butter
Sift flours together and add sugar. Work in butter with fingertips. Knead mixture lightly, but don't overwork or the butter will go oily.
Either use a shortbread mould or pack into a 7 inch sandwich cake tin. Make sure you 'prick' the mixture well with a fork to prevent it rising too much and making the results look 'bumpy'.
If you use a cake tin, mark the round into wedges before baking.
To make traditional 'petticoat tail' shortbread - lay the circle of shortbread on a baking tray, mark into wedges and then, using your fingers, make a scalloped edge to the dough.
Put in a heated oven Gas Mark 3, 160C or 325F for about 45 minutes until golden. When cool, dredge with a little caster sugar.
I know that it can difficult to find caster sugar in the States and Canada. This sugar is finer than granulated, but not as fine as icing sugar.... It may be what is called confectioners' sugar in the US (but I am not certain) if I run out I just blitz granulated in a foodprocessor (but not TOO finely).
Keep in an airtight container and eat within a couple of days.
May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
This treat is loved by children - and although not using a traditional shortbread recipe, it is available in bakery shops all over Scotland.
Shortbread base 8oz plain flour 6oz butter or margarine 4 oz caster sugar
Filling A large tin of condensed milk 2oz butter or margarine 2oz brown sugar (not the very dark type)
Chocolate topping 8 oz bar of Cadbury's Milk chocolate (it just doesn't taste the same if you use the cookery grade of chocolate)
BASE Rub the butter or margarine and flour together in a bowl until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Spread the mixture evenly into a lined approx 9 inch square cake tin and prick all over with a fork. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170C/340F for approximately 35 minutes until it is golden brown. Allow the base to cool.
Heat the filling ingredients together in a heavy bottomed saucepan, making sure that you stir it constantly until it begins to simmer. Continue stirring until it thickens (this takes a few minutes). Spread the filling evenly over the base and again allow to cool.
Melt the chocolate so that you can spread it over the filling. When it has cooled but not set, mark into squares. When fully cooled, remove from the cake tin and cut with a sharp knife
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread! hey, hey Mike, I remember that one!
maggiemahone1
That song is generally attributed to African-American History - I found the lyrics, not politically correct, so I apologize in advance. i don't know who first wrote the lyrics, if it traditional or if someone like Steven Foster or Al Jolson wrote it...
QUOTE
Shortnin' Bread
Put on de skillet, put on de led Mammy's gonna make a little shortenin' bread That ain't all she gonna do Mammy's gonna make a little coffee, too
Chorus: Mammy's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin', Mammy's little baby loves shortenin' bread.
Two little niggers lyin' in de bed One of 'em sick an de odder 'mos dead I sent for de doctor, de doctor said Feed dem chillun' on shortenin' bread. (Chorus)
Slipped in de kitchen, kicked off de led, Filled my pockets full o' shortenin' bread. I stole de skillet, stole de led, Stole da gal makin' shortenin' bread. (Chorus)
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