Friday, August 13, 2010

New Beginnings


My best friends move away on Monday. To spend some time in a lovely house in the country, some time in a little pied-à-terre in the City, but most of all to be unencumbered. To be able to travel whenever & wherever they want. To spend precious time with their children & grandchildren interstate & overseas. So Sunday there's one very big last hurrah at their wonderful old house & then off to begin their new life. They'll be much biting of bottom lips, as they made us all promise NO TEARS! For those of us who love them dearly, that will be an impossibility. I'll be making up a batch or 3 of my favourite Kourabiedes to ease the trauma (theirs & mine!) of the move!!


Effie's Kourabiedes (Greek Walnut Shortbreads)

250 gm. unsalted butter - softened to room temperature.
110 gm. (2/3 cup) icing (powdered) sugar, sifted (plus extra for dusting).
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
1 egg yolk.
300 gm. (2 cups) plain (all purpose) flour, sifted with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
100 gm. walnuts, finely chopped.

1 tablespoon orange flower water (available from the Indian Grocer's).

1. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until pale and creamy, then add icing sugar, vanilla and egg yolk and beat until well combined. Fold in combined sifted flour and baking powder, then add chopped walnuts and stir to combine.

2. Roll half the mixture into small balls (approx.1 tablespoon) & the other half roll into 5cm. lengths to form into crescents. Place a mixture of the crescents & balls onto baking paper-lined oven trays and bake at 160C. for 12-15 mins. or until just starting to colour.

3.Transfer shortbreads to wire racks and, while still warm, sprinkle with orange flower water and dust with icing sugar, then leave to cool. When completely cool, dust generously with icing sugar. Walnut shortbreads will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.


Image 1: Flickr 2. Gourmet Traveller

Photobucket

12 comments:

  1. Hi Millie,

    Sorry your neighbours are moving away~
    Change is inevitable whether we like it or not.
    Just think, you will be able to visit them in the new house.
    Have a lovely weekend

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  2. that is so sad for you and nice for them to be able to do whatever they wish whenever they wish it.

    that means they will be back to see you and moth too! :}

    xxx

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  3. Sorry your friends are moving, but I'm thinking those gorgeous cookies will ease everyone's pain:)!

    joan

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  4. Oh Mill's,
    I feel for you....it's so sad when good friend's move on. One of our friend's have just put their house on the market and will be moving. I find it very brave at our age, actually but them again, I'm a bit of a scardy cat who doesn't like change !!!!
    Have a lovely party and, I think you had better make an extra 3 batches of those delicious looking Kourabiedes !! XXXX

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  5. My Grandma's name was Effie , from here in Holland. Ive always loved the name. Best wishes to your friends and their new journey. Cookies look yummy
    Julie in HOlland ;)

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  6. Sorry to hear that your friends are moving away, I was only just saying to Mr FF how lucky we were to have such fabulous neighbours. Ours are the type that are there when you want them to be without living in each others pockets. She also makes the most fabulous jam, I was the lucky recipient of 4 gorgeous jars of black cherry and redcurrent jam - very yummy! Also as yummy as those biscuits...
    Bon week-end to you & MOTH,

    Bisous L

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  7. It is so hard to say goodbye.. but you will be with them in spirit I'm sure, and they are going to love sharing all their travelling stories with you!
    That recipe looks fab, but I cannot be trusted with shortbreads, I can't share them!!
    Flick x

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  8. Oh Millie my very favorite Greek Cookies!! I know you will miss your neighbor!

    Be sure to enter my latest Giveaway!
    xoxo

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  9. hello millie! thanks for sharing the recipe. have a great sunday.. verbena cottage

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  10. awww ~ bittersweet goodbyes! :(

    Those cookies look scrumptious!

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  11. I bet once they are settled in they will be begging you & MOTH to come for a visit. New houses are wonderful but old friends are more wonderfuller!
    Hugs to you. It's hard I know :(
    xoxo

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  12. Millie you are a true friend. How exciting for your dear friends, but having them further from reach will be one of those changes that will sting. I'm so happy for them though.
    Sugar definitely helps bouts of sadness. xx

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And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
~W.H. Auden

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