Pistachio Shortbread Crust Recipes

PISTACHIO ORANGE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat the butter and sugar until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks and orange zest and beat until combined. Beat in the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the pistachios and beat just until evenly distributed.
• Tip the dough into the prepared pan and press it into an even layer. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle the top of the dough with sanding sugar and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until the shortbread is golden brown and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet holding the tart pan to a rack to cool for a few minutes. While the dough is still warm, remove the pan edges and cut the cookie into wedges. Let cool completely.
• Carefully separate the wedges and set them on a work surface. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Let stand at room temperature until the chocolate has set, about 1 hour.

CAPPUCCINO-PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Dissolve coffee mix in water in medium bowl. Add butter and powdered sugar. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour and nuts, using hands if necessary, until stiff dough forms.
• Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a ball. Pat each ball into 6-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick, on lightly floured surface. Cut each round into 16 wedges. Arrange wedges about 1/2 inch apart and with pointed ends toward center on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Place chocolate and shortening in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes, until mixture can be stirred smooth and is thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over cookies.

POMEGRANATE ORANGE TART WITH PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Place pistachios in a food processor. Process until almost ground. Add flour, powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt to processor. Pulse to combine. Add butter. Drizzle with oil. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. It will be slightly "sandy".
• Press mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9 inch removable bottom tart pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Cool completely.
• Place blueberries in a medium saucepan. Mash with a potato masher. Add juice, 1/3 cup sugar, and cornstarch, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a low boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly.
• Place egg yolks in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup hot juice mixture to yolks, stirring with a whisk. Pour egg mixture into pan, bring to a boil over medium low heat. Cook 1 minute or until bubbly and thick, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. Strain through a sieve into a bowl. Stir in rind.
• Place bowl in a larger ice-filled bowl for 20 minutes or until cooled, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture into crust. Cover and chill 3 hours or until set.
• Place egg whites in a large bowl. Add vanilla, cream of tartar, and 1/8 teaspoons salt. Beat with mixer at high speed until soft peaks form.
• Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 250.
• Gradually pour hot sugar syrup in a thin stream over egg whites, beating a medium-low speed, then at high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Spread meringue over tart. Garnish with pomegranate arils.