Cheese Sables with Liz Fielding

CHEESE SABLES

In my second Maybridge Murder Mystery book, Murder Under the Mistletoe, my heroine, garden designer Abby Finch calls on her neighbours, the gossipy June and Beattie, hoping to pick up information on Gregory Tate, who wants her to give his garden a "make-over".

They are enjoying a pleasant evening with a very fine dry sherry and some cheese sables, which they press on Abby. She doesn't need much persuading!

~ ~ ~

“WE'RE just having a glass of sherry,” June said, leading the way into the oak-beamed living room where the wood burner was throwing out very welcome heat and their Christmas tree was providing a festive glow. “Beattie, a glass for Abby. She needs something cheering after yesterday.”

“Not for me,” Abby protested. “I’ve got a ton of work to do, I just wanted to make sure you weren't having nightmares.”

“Oh, we’re fine. Obviously, it’s a tragedy, but poor Edward has looked like walking death for months and we’d all like to go like that. No lingering,” she said. “Help yourself to Penny’s cheese sables.”

The golden cheesy biscuits had walnut halves embedded in them and Abby, unable to resist, bit into one while Beattie, who took no notice of her refusal, fetched another wine glass.

“These are so good,” Abby said. She was definitely putting them on the list to give Penny for the drinks party. “Have the police been to see you for a statement?”

“Harry called in this morning. Not that there was much we could tell him.” Beattie lifted the bottle from an ice bucket and poured out a generous measure. “It’s a Manzanilla pasada she said. “Try it.”

Abby obligingly sipped and groaned appreciatively as the icy cold sherry slipped over her tongue.

~ ~ ~

This is the recipe. 

Ingredients – this is the basic recipe. I double it when I'm baking for the family but obviously you can easily increase the amount to suit your own needs.

100 gm butter

100 gm plain flour

100 gm grated cheese

A pinch or two of cayenne pepper to taste if you like a little heat

Salt and pepper to taste (if using a mature cheddar I don't add salt)

Finely chopped walnuts or walnut halves to top (optional) 

A little beaten egg

Rub fat into the flour (I needed a bit more flour). Add cheese and seasoning and work into a dough. Roll into a sausage, wrap in greaseproof paper or film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Cut into circles no more than 5mm thick. (These were a little on the thick side, but still delicious!)

Brush with egg and sprinkle with the chopped walnuts or press in a walnut half

Pre-heat moderate oven (Gas 5, 190 degrees – I used 180 because fan) and bake for about 13-15 minutes until they're golden around the edges. Transfer for a wire rack to cool. They will crisp up once cool.

Variations on this recipe

You can leave off the walnuts and instead top with finely chopped rosemary and salt

You can liberally top with flaked almonds if you don't like walnuts

You can add about 30 gms of chopped unsalted pistachios to the dough - no topping needed.

Liz Fieding 

Liz Fielding met her husband when they were both working in Zambia and were keen members of the Lusaka Theatre Club. He was playing John de Stogumber in St Joan, and she was the pageboy to the Earl of Warwick. He swore it was the purple tights that got him. Years spent in Africa and the Middle East provided the background to many of Liz's romances. Her first, An Image of You, was set in Kenya, in a place where they had spent many happy weekends on safari. It was plucked from the slush pile because the feisty feminist heroine made her editor laugh. Emotion touched with humour has been the hallmark of her work ever since.

 

After writing 70 books for Harlequin Mills and Boon, Liz has now turned to crime, signing with Joffe Books for three "Maybridge Mysteries", the first of which, Murder Among the Roses, is published on 18th April.

 

 Liz Fielding on the web:

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Liz Fielding has a new book out:

MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE

MEET ABBY FINCH. SHE’S THE BUSY MUM OF THREE, AN EXPERT GARDENER AND THE STAR OF YOUR NEW FAVOURITE COZY MURDER MYSTERY.

Abby Finch arrives at the old church hall armed with festive mistletoe and holly, ready to decorate. But within moments of her walking through the door, tragedy strikes . . .

Edward Marsh reaches to test the antique star at the top of the tree. There’s a fizz and the lights go out.

Abby hears the sickening thud of a body hitting the floor. When the lights turn back on, Edward is dead.

It soon becomes clear it was no accident.

The real victim should have been Gregory Tatton. Dapper silver fox. Popular with the ladies of the seniors’ lunch club. A known blackmailer . . .

Abby is desperate to find out the truth, but putting herself in danger isn’t on her Christmas wish list.

Who’s been naughty? Who’s been nice? Who’s hiding the fact they’re a murderer?

Fans of Faith Martin, Jane Adams, Frances Evesham, M.C. Beaton, Clare Chase or Jeanne M. Dams will love this addictive cozy mystery!

Buy on:

Amazon Kindle          

Amazon UK               Amazon Aust