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Mastiha shortbread stars

Mastiha is such a unique intoxicating flavour, the sweet musky notes are unlike anything I have ever tasted. #BringBackTheClassics

Mastiha shortbread stars

Mastiha shortbread stars Credit: Helen Tzouganatos

  • makes

    25

  • prep

    10 minutes

  • cook

    40 minutes

  • difficulty

    Easy

makes

25

serves

preparation

10

minutes

cooking

40

minutes

difficulty

Easy

level

When I was a kid I would run home from school, grab a teaspoon from the drawer and scoop up sweet, stretchy mastiha fondant from the jar. I loved dunking my fondant in a glass of icy cold water and licking it like a popsicle.

I created this shortbread recipe to highlight this beautiful spice, unique to the island of Chios in Greece. There is nothing sweeter than a home baked gift so cut my shortbread into stars to create the perfect Christmas gift. Tie your stars together with natural twine and add a personalised tag for a rustic handmade touch.

Ingredients

  • 200 g softened butter, chopped
  • 165 g or ¾ cup caster sugar
  • 195 g or 1½ cups plain gluten-free flour
  • 90 g or ¾ cup sweet rice flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ tsp ground mastiha (see Note)
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes

Instructions

Preheat oven to 160°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper or prepare a silicone mat.

Put all ingredients in mixer and beat until dough is formed. Roll out dough between two sheets of baking paper until 1 cm thick. Use a star cookie cutter to cut shortbread or slice into rectangular fingers.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on tray.

Note
• Mastiha can be purchased from European delis, gourmet grocers and online.

Photography, styling and food preparation by .

Feeling nostalgic? We want you! For the month of November, SBS Food is asking food lovers far and wide to get creative by putting a multicultural twist or your creative spin on an Australian classic... Welcome to 

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

When I was a kid I would run home from school, grab a teaspoon from the drawer and scoop up sweet, stretchy mastiha fondant from the jar. I loved dunking my fondant in a glass of icy cold water and licking it like a popsicle.

I created this shortbread recipe to highlight this beautiful spice, unique to the island of Chios in Greece. There is nothing sweeter than a home baked gift so cut my shortbread into stars to create the perfect Christmas gift. Tie your stars together with natural twine and add a personalised tag for a rustic handmade touch.


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Published 10 November 2017 1:00pm
By Helen Tzouganatos
Source: SBS



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