Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Monreale Biscuits: A Timeless Sicilian Treat from Palermo
Discover the delightful Monreale biscuits—crispy on the outside, tender within, shaped into charming ‘S’ curves. Perfect companions to your afternoon tea or morning coffee!
📖 What is it
Discover the delightful Monreale biscuits—crispy on the outside, tender within, shaped into charming ‘S’ curves. Perfect companions to your afternoon tea or morning coffee!
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 kg plain flour
- ✓ 300 ml milk
- ✓ 200 g lard
- ✓ 200 g caster sugar
- ✓ 1 egg yolk
- ✓ 1 sachet vanilla sugar
- ✓ 10 g baking ammonia
- ✓ 100 g icing sugar
- ✓ 1 egg white
- ✓ Juice of 1 lemon
📊 Nutritional Information
Let yourself be whisked away by the authentic aromas of Sicily with these Monreale biscuits. With their elegant, winding shape and fragrant crumb, these treats were born within the ancient walls of a monastery. Ideal to start your day or to accompany a cosy tea break, each bite carries the simple, heartfelt tradition of Sicilian baking.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sift the flour onto a clean work surface and add the caster sugar, diced lard, egg yolk, baking ammonia, and vanilla sugar.
- 2
Gently work the mixture, gradually adding the milk little by little until you achieve a smooth, even dough.
- 3
Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and pop it in the fridge to rest for about an hour.
- 4
Take the dough out, break off pieces and mould each into an ‘S’ shape roughly 12 cm long.
- 5
Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes until golden.
- 6
For the glaze, whisk together the egg white, icing sugar, and lemon juice until thick and glossy.
- 7
Decorate the biscuits with the glaze and allow them to cool completely before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer, more indulgent flavour, swap the lard for good-quality butter.
- •
Add finely grated zest of an organic lemon to the dough to brighten the citrus notes.
- •
For an extra aromatic touch, stir in a pinch of vanilla powder or the seeds from a vanilla pod.
- •
To lighten the recipe, reduce the fat slightly and replace the sugar with orange blossom honey.
- •
The secret to perfectly crumbly biscuits is to handle the dough gently, avoiding warming it up too much.
📦 Storage
- • Store the biscuits in an airtight container or a tin to keep their crispness for up to 10 days.
- • Keep the container in a cool, dry spot away from moisture that could soften them.
- • For longer storage, freeze the biscuits individually wrapped in cling film, then place them in a freezer bag.
🍷 Pairing
To truly bring out the flavour of Monreale biscuits, enjoy them with a glass of fine, amber-dry Marsala from western Sicily. Alternatively, a zesty citrus tea or a fragrant orange blossom infusion makes a lovely match. For a more adventurous pairing, try a sweet passito from Pantelleria or a spiced black tea.
Monreale biscuits are a charming little masterpiece of Sicilian baking—crispy, fragrant, and steeped in history with every bite. Take the time to make them yourself and share these lovely treats with your nearest and dearest, bringing a genuine slice of Sicily right to your table.
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