PASTISSETS

With this post, [and the next] I leave Cornwall, as I do every summer, for the wonderful island of Menorca, which is our most favourite part of the world AFTER Cornwall! You see these delicious biscuits made in the shape of a flower everywhere on the island. [cutters easily available on Amazon] We often have them as a welcoming gift in our hotel room, a little stack tied up with cellophane and a ribbon. As with Ensaimada, the other favourite Balearic sweet, they are dusted with a generous amount of icing sugar. Traditionally they were only eaten at Xmas, but these days, all year round. They also used to be made with lard and they do make a wonderful gift.

Just 5 simple ingredients that taste wonderful!

Pre heat your fan oven to 180C and very lightly butter baking sheets. I used a small 2” cutter, making about 60 biscuits. Easily halved, or you can make larger ones. But you may have to slightly adjust the timings.

In a medium mixing bowl, place:

14 oz plain flour

7 oz very soft butter [but not melted]

7 oz caster sugar

3 egg yolks

zest of two lemons

Make a ‘volcano” of the flour, then add the other ingredients, kneading the whole until you have a smooth dough. Tip onto your floured surface, then cut in half, making it easier to handle.  Roll out to thicker than a £1 coin [maybe a scant third of an inch]]. Cut them with your flower cutter and bake for approx 13-15 mins. The mix is quite delicate and I use a small spatula to lift from the worktop to the baking sheet.

When just cold, generously dust with icing sugar.

Just lovely.

Of course, you do not have to use a flower cutter! I do, to bring a touch of Menorcan authenticity.

Simply scrumptious biscuits.