I am always looking for easy and make ahead recipes. This one I found in my mom’s stash with a note that these are great for an easy appetizer and perfect with a glass of wine. She always liked to have something on hand and these can be frozen after you bake them and pulled out of the freezer for a last minute appetizer. Using a food processor is the key for a quick and easy dough. I like to serve them on a charcuterie board. I am sure you are all familiar with this current restaurant staple that derives from the French word for smoked, dry-cured meats. Many times served with assorted cheeses, dried fruits, fruit compotes, and cracker or breads. Savory Shortbread is the perfect addition on your next charcuterie board.
Savory Shortbread
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese - finely grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash cayenne pepper
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled, cut into cubes
- additional cheese to sprinkle on top of each shortbread
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. In your food processor bowl, add the flour, cheese, salt, cayenne pepper and butter. Pulse until this mixture forms into a dough ball. This will take a few minutes of pulsing. Just when the dough starts to form a ball, remove from the food processor and knead a few times on cutting board. Divide the dough in half. From each half you will make 12 approx. 1 1/2 inch balls. It is easy to roll each half into a 12 inch rope and then cut the rope into 1 inch pieces, Roll each piece into a ball. After you have placed the dough ball on the baking sheet - with the bottom of a glass, press each into appox. a 2 inch round. Sprinkle each round lightly with additional cheese, bake for 20 minutes. Cool. Store in airtight container for 1 week or freeze for future use. Makes 24.