A little history lesson here.
Kourambieths (or Kourabiedes) are Greek Butter Biscuits. They are traditional Christmas cookies that date back to the 7th century AD in Persia (modern day Iran.)
As a side note, dating back to 500 AD there is evidence that India was refining cane juice into granulated crystals. By the 7th century AD sugar cultivation and processing had reached Persia and sugar became a significant commodity in the Islamic world. Thus, the spreading knowledge of sugar production began throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Sugar was introduced to Europe during the Crudsades (11th to 13th centuries.) By the 15th century sugar began to be cultivated in southern Europe. The rest is history.
So, just from one cookie we have discovered the incredible back story of sugar!
Anyhoo … I have to admit that this is one of my favorite cookies so far. Not to discount the Tahini Crisp, which was amazing. This is a buttery, sugary, shortbread-like cookie.
An interesting recipe because it begins with clarified butter. Basically it is boiling butter to remove the milk solids, or proteins, leaving behind pure butterfat. Yes, that would probably explain the goodness of the cookie. We are talking just pure butter here. When the clarified butter is creamed with sugar you get this incredible light fluffy comination that gives the cookie bite a melt in your mouth feel. Except, there are slivered almonds that give it a nice chew to compliment the softness of the cookie.
I hope that you have learned a thing or two, I certainly have!