Sables are little French cookies, made from egg yolk and butter. They are slightly sweet and crisp. They contrast perfectly with the tangy goat’s cheese and juicy strawberries. These sables are ideal served with fruit.

Ingredients: (Makes 24)

• 75 g/3 oz butter
• 150 g/5 oz/1¼ cups plain (all-purpose) flour
• 75 g/3 oz/¾ cup blanched hazelnuts, lightly toasted and ground
• 30 ml/2 tablespoons caster (superfine) sugar
• 2 egg yolks, beaten with 30-45 ml/2-3 tablespoons water
• 115 g/4 oz goat’s cheese
• 4-6 large strawberries, cut into small pieces
• Hazelnuts and fresh mint, to decorate

Method:

Put the butter, flour, ground hazelnuts, sugar and beaten egg yolks into a food processor and process to a smooth dough. Scrape out the dough. Shape into a log about 4 cm/1½ inches thick. Wrap in clear film (plastic wrap) and chill.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. With a sharp knife, slice the dough into 5 mm/¼ inch thick rounds and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and crisp slightly.

Crumble the goat’s cheese with your fingers into small pieces on a plate. Mound a little goat’s cheese on to each sable, top with a piece of strawberry and sprinkle with a few hazelnuts. Transfer to a platter or individual plates, decorate with mint leaves and serve the sables while still warm.