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The Famous Estate of Wm. Randolph Hearst
One of the most popular tourist sites along the California Coast is the Hearst Castle in San Simeon named "La Cuesta Encantada". Translated it means "The Enchanted Survey". Five different tours of the buildings and grounds are available. It is difficult to leave the grounds with admiration for a married man who lived a life without morals. The carved mythological marble statuary in the gardens and pool area has the faces of his many different lovers.
From the cookbook of the kitchen in the castle is a recipe for:
Shortbread Cookies
4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 vanilla bean or 1 tablespoon vanilla
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Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
Beat the butter until fluffy and add the confectioners sugar and beat again.
Add the flour mixture in two additions. Add the vanilla paste from the bean or add the vanilla extract. Sir until everything comes together to form a thick dough. Turn out onto a counter top and press into a patty. Wrap with plastic and chill for a half hour. Roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2" thickness. Cut dough into desired shapes using cookie cutter or a knife and place on parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees until bottoms are barely golden.
1 comment:
This place is awesome. I toured it and was really impressed. I understand the Hearst family can still use it if they wish under the terms of the gift. Such wealth. VERY low income taxes or maybe none at the time it was built.
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