Afghani Nan Khatai Cardamom Spiced Cookies Topped With Pistacios Recipes

NANI'S PISTACHIO CARDAMOM COOKIES (NAN KHATAI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place two racks near the center of the oven.
• In a medium bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the sugar and Crisco, using a rubber spatula, fold until the sugar starts to incorporate with the Crisco. Add the semolina, pulverized almonds, and cardamom powder to the sugar and Crisco mixture and fold to incorporate. Add the flour in all at once and using the spatula or clean hands, form a large dough ball. Portion out 24 pieces.
• Take a portion in the palm of your hand and form a loose fist around it. This will slightly soften the shortening and make it easier to form a ball. Roll the dough between both palms to form a ball. Place the dough ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment, slightly press down to flatten the top and place a pistachio in the center. Repeat the process with all portions.
• Bake for 15 - 18 minutes. The cookies will remain about the same color as prior to baking. Do not brown.

CARDAMOM BISCUITS (NAN KHATAI)

Steps:

• Split the cardamom pods and remove the seeds. Pound the seeds to a powder in a pestle and mortar with 1 tsp of the sugar.
• Beat the butter until soft, then gradually add the remaining icing sugar and the ground cardamom. Continue beating until light and creamy, about 10 mins.
• Sieve the flour and gram flour into a bowl and whisk in the semolina and a pinch of salt. Stir into the butter and sugar in two increments. Gently bring everything together into a soft dough.
• Roll the dough into small, marble-sized balls with your hands and arrange, spaced out, on baking trays lined with baking parchment.
• Slightly flatten the top of each ball and press a whole almond or some chopped pistachios in the middle of each one. Chill for 20 mins.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Bake the biscuits for about 20 mins or until golden. Leave to cool before storing in an airtight tin.

AFGHANI NAN KHATAI-CARDAMOM SPICED COOKIES TOPPED WITH PISTACIOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix the white flour with the sugar, and crushed cardamon. Next, add the oil and mix well.
• Make the dough into two inch round balls and put them on a cookie sheet and bake for 15min, or until lightly browned.
• Sprinkle finely ground pistachios on top of the cookies while they are still hot.
• Let cool before eating.
• Enjoy.