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Savoury Shortbread Recipe by Elizabeth Bard

Appetizer · Provencal Recipes · Taste

This easy appetizer comes from Elizabeth Bard’s latest book, Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes. The recipe combines Provençal flavours of rosemary and olive into a delicious savoury shortbread. The author has permission to publish the recipe.

Savoury Shortbread Olives Provence @PerfProvence

Jean's Rosemary Olive and Parmesan Sablés - Sablés aux Olives, Romarin, et Parmesan

Elizabeth Bard - Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes
I have a real affection for the sandy-textured cookies called biscuits sablés. Here is the savoury version that Jean brought to our neighborhood cinema evening. They are extremely easy to make, provided your butter really is at room temperature when you start. Serve them with a glass of white wine and some plump dates; I can’t think of a better beginning to an evening en plein air.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Fridge Time 10 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine French, Provencal
Servings 16 Cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 10½ tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
  • cups flour
  • 2 scant tsp fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • ground black pepper
  • 12 cured black olives pitted and finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • An hour or two before you want to bake, take the butter out of the fridge. It needs to be really soft.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, rosemary, Parmesan, and a grinding of black pepper.
  • Add the olives and the softened butter cut into three or four chunks.
  • Knead the butter into the flour mixture with your hands until the ingredients are evenly distributed and a ball of dough has formed. Do not overwork the dough.
  • Put the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  • Roll out the dough on a piece of parchment paper to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
  • Using a 2½-inch biscuit cutter (the top of a glass will do just fine), cut 16 rounds.
  • Bake on a sheet of parchment paper until fragrant and highly coloured, 15 to 17 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Store in an airtight container; they keep nicely for 2 to 3 days.
Keyword Appetizer, Olives, Parmesan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).

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