I’m always looking at ways to “shake things up”. Especially when it comes to traditional Greek recipes. I love adding my own spin on things and this is exactly what I have done with these festive Christmas cookies. I’ve taken the kourabiethes recipe I made last year and changed them a little by shaping them as Christmas trees. I quite like the effect actually, and the icing sugar seems to add a “snow” feeling to the biscuits. As I’ve explained in previous posts Christmas and holiday celebrations are hot here in Australia. There is no snow to be seen! LOL! So we have to ‘make do” with illusions such as these shortbread Christmas trees and fake snow in department stores! No wonder they call it the “silly season”!
I pretty much stuck to the same recipe except this time I added some pistachios to the mix. Traditionally, kourambiedes are made with almonds. I got that idea from my blog friend and colleague, Ivy from Kopiaste who made a recipe for kourabiethes using pistachios. Thanks Ivy! These were delicious! I imagine any other nut would work just as well. Hazelnuts, could be a real winner too…even pecans. Or how about macadamias? (Now I’ve gone all “nutty”!). The only real problem I encountered was the strong heat and humidity and the effect it had on the butter. It’s best to work with the butter at room temperature not melted like mine initially did. Thank heavens for air conditioning. It eventually all came together and the Greek shortbread were fantastic. In the next few days, I’m going to post another twist to a traditional Greek biscuit all in the name of Christmas spirit and fun! So tell me. How much baking do you do at Christmas? Or do you prefer not to bake during this hectic time? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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So pretty and tempting!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hello. I like you! And I love shortbread almost as much as I love bread and double entendres.
I like you too Rose! Pleasure to meet you yesterday…
Oh my! I love shortbreads! And pistachios are a great idea I never tested before even if there are various south italian recipes that use them (especially sicilian ones). I’m bookmarking this recipe for the forthcoming festivities in case I’ll have to prepare some food for friends
What a coincidence Peter. I wanted to make them into Christmas trees but the cookie cutter I had with a shape of a tree was tiny, so this year I made them star and flower shaped. I posted the pictures on facebook but it will be my next post. I made something new this year.
I want to try this or the one I still can’t pronounce. Peter, you stage your food so beautifully and yet there is a touch of “home” alongside your sophistication. I really enjoy my visits here.
How much baking do I do? A lot, but I’m behind. I make an outstanding fudge that people ask for every year and cookies. I usually make about 25 pounds of the fudge, and ten tins of cookies. I’ll be starting tomorrow.
I’m normally don’t do much baking for the holiday’s (or any time of the year for that matter), but recent events have me rethinking that strategy, and this looks like a great excuse to turn on the oven.
These look lovely Peter and you’re right; the icing sugar does give it that lovely christmassy feeling! I am looking at them and then looking out the window where everything is turning white too and I start singing “White christmas” spontaneously..!
Oh- were these the cookies you were referring to in the picnic? The ones you styled in the morning? They are gorgeous! So classy… I do tons of baking during Christmas – I have to in fact bake some cookies for my sister this evening…
These are so pretty, Peter! And the photos… Breathtaking. Love how Christmassy they look.
These look wonderful!
So cute…and yummy!
They look so lovely Peter! Ivy is such a great cook
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Up to date, I haven’t been able to find pistachios without salt on them… amazing Ugh?
Shortbreads are still my fave cookie (any time of year) and you have a tea service multi-level tray that I want!
$10 at Target Peter!…LOL!
Baking cookies is not one of my strengths Peter, but I did manage to pump out about 5 different simple recipes. These shortbread will remind you of the snow you keep hearing about here in this hemisphere.
My mum must bake at least a thousand kourabiedes a year. They are always on the go at our house, not just at xmas. For many years to amuse my niece and nephew she used a xmas tree and star cookie cutter to make kourabiedes. Until I saw your post I thought she was the only one. Keep baking everyone and merry christmas.
Thank you Sophia! Merry Xmas to you as well..all the best for 2010
These look delish! I bake a ton at Christmas. So much, in fact, that the kitchen tends to look a bit like a war zone until about January 8th.
These are beautiful Peter, very festive!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
that is such a snowy goodness
the shapes are really cute peter!
ur so epic i wish i was like u u should be a chef in my uncles restuarant wish he had chefs like u…
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