ALMOND STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

This recipe was submitted by one of our visitors Nisha Oswal.  Nisha was kind enough to share several recipes with us.  She assures me that any special ingredients can be found on Ebay. 

Nisha's description of this recipe: Almond pastry biscuits sandwiched with strawberries and cream, served with strawberry sauce.

I am adding some conversion measurements to the right of Nisha's recipes when necessary or available (These were obtained from  Pastry Wiz) , you can always check for yourselves on one of our conversion links sites.

ALMOND STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Almond pastry biscuits sandwiched with strawberries and cream, served with
strawberry sauce.


Baking Time : 20 min.
Preparation Time : 45 min.

Makes 8 shortcakes.
          For the pastry
              
    200 grams plain flour (maida)                          (about 7 oz.)
      
    100 grams butter                                              (about 3 oz)
      
    30 grams ground almonds                                  (about 2 Tbsp)
      
    2/3 cup icing sugar
      
    a pinch salt
      
    2 to 3 tablespoons ice-cold water
 
      For the strawberry sauce
              
    2 cups strawberries, hulled
      
    2 tablespoons icing sugar
      
    juice of 1/2 lemon
 
      For the filling
              
    1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced
      
    1 1/2 cups whipped cream
 
      For the garnish
              
    icing sugar to sprinkle
      
    a few strawberries
 
  
          For the pastry
              
    
      1.
    Sieve the flour and salt together. Mix with the ground almonds.
      
    
      2.
    Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips. Add the sugar and mix well.
      
    
      3.
    Add enough ice-cold water to make a dough. Chill for 30 minutes.
      
    
      4.
    Preheat the oven to 200 degree C (400 degree F).
      
    
      5.
    Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and using a 100 mm. (4") fluted cutter, cut sixteen rounds of 3mm. (1/8") thickness.
      
    
      6.
    Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until pale golden. Cool and keep aside the shortcakes.
 
      For the strawberry sauce
              
    
      1.
    Puree the strawberries in a blender. Add the icing sugar and lemon juice.
      
    
      2.
    Strain and refrigerate.
 
      How to proceed
              
    
      1.
    Place one shortcake on a plate. Pipe some whipped cream on top and place some sliced strawberries thereon. Sandwich with another shortcake.
      
    
      2.
    Make the other 7 shortcakes in the some manner.
 
      For the garnish
              
    
      1.
    Dust icing sugar on top of each shortcake and garnish with strawberries.
      
    
      2.
    Serve surrounded by the sauce.