‘Tis the Season for Shortbread
Pistachio biscuits, to be precise...
On Tuesday, I visited my parent's house in Red Hill for a family lunch. Mum bought these "Vanillekipferl" from the delightful store, Pier Provedore, in Flinders. They are a German and Austrian crescent-shaped festive biscuit. The flavour of the pistachio nut really comes through - they are lovely, light and delicate.
We also had some traditional, homemade Scottish Shortbread, which my mum received as a gift. Praise this time of year, when edible gifts abound.
I have never been a fan of shortbread, however I now realise why. I was forever associating shortbread with the heavy, stodgy, dry, store-bought, bright yellow blocks that come in those cheap yet highly fetching tartan tins. To date, those tins were the highlight of my shortbread experience. I kept hair ribbons in them and discarded the shortbread - what shortbread? However I am now converted...
So buttery and creamy, and surprisingly light - provided you stop at one ;) I found them incredibly delightful, and did not miss the tartan tin at all.
We also had homemade Italian Amaretti, another edible gift from a friend - it pays to befriend bakers ;) They were round and quite thin, with a lovely crunch to them and a beautifully rich almond flavour.
'Tis the season for Shortbread and other cookies!
'Tis also the season to make New Year's Resolutions. Naturally, "befriending a Scottish lass or laddie who likes to bake and give edible gifts" is presently at the top of my list.
