Tasty Tuesday: Scarborough Shortbread-Impossible by Nancy Werlin

The ingredients that I wanted to use in a recipe with Impossible by Nancy Werlin were very easy to come up with. Her book is based on the song “Scarborough Fair” popularized by Simon and Garfunkel.

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.” This shortbread recipe is super-easy and sweet with just a hint of the aromatic herbs.

Scarborough Shortbread

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup and 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon each finely chopped fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.

Stir together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and chopped herbs in a bowl, then add butter and stir with a fork until mixture forms a dough. Divide dough in half and pat each half into a 6 1/2- to 7-inch round on an ungreased baking sheet. Crimp edges of rounds and cut each into 8 wedges with a knife. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tablespoon sugar. Prick each wedge once with a fork.

Bake until golden, 15 to 17 minutes. Recut wedges while shortbread is hot, then cool completely on sheet.