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Wormwood Black Pepper Shortbread

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Wormwood Black Pepper Shortbread

Wormwood’s distinctive scent and flavor are the stars of this simple shortbread with a bite. Goat milk butter, if accessible, has a mild but tangy taste which pairs well with the herbaceous taste of wormwood, though any good quality butter can be used in this delicious treat. Once fully cooled, the shortbread may be frozen to be savored over time.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups gluten-free flour (I use a blend of 1 cup almond flour, ½ cup garbanzo fava flour, ½ cup ivory teff flour; all-purpose works fine too
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ loosely packed table spoons fresh wormwood leaves, chopped, or 2½ teaspoons dry
  • 1 cup cold, unsalted butter cut into 1-inch cubes (I prefer goat milk butter)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line 6 4-inch springform pans in parchment, or one 8-inch pie or springform pan.
    In a food processor, pulse together sugar and wormwood until well combined (this helps infuse the flavor). Add salt, pepper, and flour, and pulse until thoroughly combined.
    Add in the butter, pulsing until a small crumb forms. Continue pulsing until the dough just begins to come together.
    Press the dough into the pans, making sure to press to the edges.
    Bake for 30—40 minutes for 4-inch springform pans, 35—45 minutes for 8-inch pan, or until lightly golden at the edges. It is better to underbake than overbake this shortbread.
    Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then lightly remove while still malleable. Let cool completely and serve in rounds or wedges. Delicious with wormwood ice cream!

Notes

Find S. Hollis Mickey’s wormwood ice cream recipe at ediblealaska.ediblecommunities.com

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Wormwood is often used as an insect repellent. Dried as a simple sachet, its strong, herbaceous smell infuses any closet of clothes or linens with a warm scent. Or, it can be used in a cellar or pantry to ward off insects. Combine with juniper berries, or any other herb, for added fragrance.

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