I’m feeling rather frazzled from this week and this orange and chestnut shortbread has helped to pick me up.
Those of you who follow me on social media will know that I had a big meeting with Waitrose on Tuesday.
I spent two hours chatting about my flour blends and had great feedback about it. I’ve no idea what the future holds but it’s pretty exciting!
In addition to that meeting I have had an order from the Mae Deli which is owned by Ella Mills (Woodward) of Deliciously Ella. I’m pretty excited to learn that their head chef loves the flour too.
So much flour love in one week and that’s not to mention all the wonderful photos and emails I’ve had about your pancakes (thanks).
Anyway, without further ado I’ll give you my recipe for orange and chestnut shortbread. It is a melt in the mouth shortbread, sweetened with a little honey to give a delicate sweetness that I think you’ll love.
Chestnut flour can be tricky to find but you should be able to get it in any good health food shop. Alternatively you can buy it from Amazon here. It is a very light and delicate flour, perfect for biscuits, and especially shortbread.
I’ve combined the chestnut flour in this recipe with cassava flour. This is not the same as tapioca starch as it is made from the whole dried cassava root, rather than just the starch (much like the difference between potato flour and potato starch – the latter being what you find most commonly). It is a source of dietary fibre but is also very high in carbohydrate as is chestnut flour. This is not a recipe for those with diabetes of issues with their insulin levels!
If you’re interested in gluten-free flours you might like to read the post I wrote about them recently here.
Most grain-free recipes rely upon coconut flour and almond flour so I thought I would change it up a bit using some other grain-free flours. I think you’ll like the results, just don’t eat too many of them!
Orange & Chestnut Shortbread
Ingredients
- 40 g chestnut flour
- 35 g cassava flour not the same as tapioca starch
- 50 g softened butter
- 10 g honey
- 1/4 tsp good quality orange extract
Method
- Mix all the ingredients together until a dough forms
- Divide the dough into 6 pieces and roll into balls
- Grease or line a baking tray and place the balls onto the tray
- Gently flatten each one to approx. 5cm diameter
- Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees/160 degree fan/gas mark 4 for 8 - 10 minutes
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Hope says
Orange and chestnut sounds like a great combination. These look pretty good. I have never tried chestnut flour before, would be interested to give it a go!
Vicki Montague says
It is lovely but it is expensive too!
Midge says
Oooh I have never used cassava flour! These look amazing!
Vicki Montague says
Nor had I until I cut down grains. It’s great!
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com says
Waitrose AND Deliciously Ella in one week – wow you must be on cloud 9! That’s quite some going 🙂 I am seriously impressed with your GF flour knowledge…I have never even heard of cassava flour and, whilst I have at least heard of chestnut flour I don’t think I’ve ever eaten it. Well done for flying the flag for some of the more unusual flours and educating us all. And thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x
Vicki Montague says
Ah thanks Eb!
Kate - glutenfreealchemist says
I love using Chestnut flour. It is lovely in bread and pastries.
Your shortbread looks delicious. I can see why it would be a good ‘pick me up’. And what an exciting week. You must be thrilled with all the interest in your flour….. So pleased for you xx
Vicki Montague says
Thanks Kate!