Salted Cheese Biscuits without Butter

I can provide you with a recipe for salted cheese biscuits that do not require the use of butter. We will use olive oil as an alternative to maintain the crunchiness and friability expected from good salty biscuits. Here’s how to make them.

Ingredients

• 200 g of flour
• 100 g of grated cheese (such as Parmesan or Pecorino)
• 1 egg
• 50 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 pinch of pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder for savory cakes

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, grated cheese, salt, and pepper.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the egg and olive oil.
3. Start to combine the ingredients with a fork, gradually mixing the egg and oil with the flour and cheese, until you can begin to knead with your hands.
4. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and work it until it becomes smooth and homogeneous.
5. Cover the dough with cling film and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
7. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 5 mm.
8. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits in the desired shape.
9. Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring a small distance between each one.
10. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden.
11. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a rack before serving.

Italian Variation:

To add an even more Italian touch, you could include aromatic herbs in the dough, such as finely chopped rosemary or dried oregano. These herbs pair well with the flavor of the cheese and will give an even more inviting aroma to your salty biscuits.

Happy cooking and have fun experimenting with flavors!