Short On Money But Long On Time

A while ago, I decided that it was time to try and make some Scottish shortbread. Scottish Shortbread is something that I have a serious weakness for. You do not see it often over here. I have gotten it in Lidl once and donkey’s years ago I got some in the Marks & Spencer in Amsterdam when the shop was still open.

I can remember when my father and I would make it together. Well to be fair, he made it and I could sprinkle things and nibble at the dough. I was so young then that I barely came above the counter top.

Well, my Bride and I talked about trying it and ordered the ingredients (which are not many). Of course our cooking books do not have a recipe for this crunchy treat. What to do then?
When you want to do something correctly, you go to the pro...and in this case it was someone that has shortbread in her DNA. Eileen ouwah Scottish monitor. She told me how her mum made it and that was good enough for me.

We spent the afternoon following the instructions and made a practice batch to see if we could be successful.


I do not have the words to tell you how delicious it tasted. My Bride and I decided to make a proper shortbread next time, one that Eileen could be proud of.
Eileen, our thanks are enormous.

 

That looks delicious! And a great story. I'm glad you have memories like that.

 

Congratulations, it makes my mouth water and I have to go eat something like it

Thanks to you too Eileen

 

Thanks Cayu. Yes, memories are great, but as my Bride points out—things may have become clouded over the years. Ha ha.
While e were making that shortbread I was constantly saying, “ well, when my father made it...so ‘ so “. “Or well, on Eileen’s instruction page it says.....”. Urm, perhaps I went a bit overboard with trying to get it right. My stomach was in the right place though.

Thanks so much, Eileen. That means a lot. I noticed that the bottom of the shortbread was a bit brown...not hard, but much browner than the top. Is that normal with this cookie?

Cheers KK. Do you have something similar there?

 

That looks very nice. I think you did a good job, and then you even got to eat it!

 

Yes we do have shortbread here but yours looks real good.
We do get them from Scotland under the brand name "Walkers Shortbread"
Homemade is still the best

 

I am jealous that you folks get shortbread in your shops. We see it on the shelves every few years only. When we eat ours we do not have anything to compare it with for quality; but I am well chuffed with this first effort, I must say.

 

That looks delicious Sjeord and well done.
Also Eileen for the recipe.