Cardamom and Orange Biscuits
INGREDIENTS (Makes 28)
◆ 10 cardamom pods
◆ 150g butter, cut into
pieces
◆ 100g
golden caster sugar
◆ 1 egg, lightly beaten
◆ 1tbsp grated orange rind
◆ 225g plain flour
◆ Strips of finely pared
orange rind, to decorate
◆ 125g icing sugar
◆ 2tbsp orange juice 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C, Fan 170°C, Gas 5. Lightly grease 2 baking trays. Remove the seeds from the cardamom pods and crush, using a pestle and mortar. 2 In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Mix in the egg and grated orange rind. Add the flour and knead to a firm dough. Wrap and chill for 20min. 3 Roll out the dough on a lightly floured sur face until 6mm thick. Using an 8cm fluted cutter, cut into rounds. Then cut into two using the same cutter, to make crescents and ovals. Re-roll the trimmings and cut more. 4 Lift on to the prepared trays and bake for 11-13min, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. 5 Gently press the pared orange rind between two sheets of kitchen paper, to remove any excess moisture. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and mix in sufficient orange juice to make a fairly thick icing. Spread over the biscuits and sprinkle with the strips of pared orange rind. Leave to set, and then ser ve.