Almond Strawberry Shortcakes

Ingredients:
For the pastry

• 200 gms plain flour (maida)
• 100 gms butter
• 30 gms powdered almonds
• 2/3 cup icing sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 2 to 3 tbsp ice-cold water

For the strawberry sauce

• 2 cups hulled strawberries
• 2 tbsp icing sugar
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice

For the filling

• 1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream

For the garnish

• icing sugar to sprinkle
• a few strawberries
• For the pastry

Recipe 

1. Sieve the flour and salt together. 
2. Mix with the ground almonds.
3. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips. 
4. Add the sugar and mix well.
5. Add enough ice-cold water to make a dough.
6. Chill for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 200 degree C (400 degree F).
8. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and using a 100 mm. 
9. (4") fluted cutter, cut sixteen rounds of 3mm.
10. (1/8") thickness.
11. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until pale golden. 
12. Cool and keep aside the shortcakes.

For the strawberry sauce 

1. Puree the strawberries in a blender.
2. Add the icing sugar and lemon juice.
3. Strain and refrigerate.

Recipe

1. Place one shortcake on a plate. 
2. Pipe some whipped cream on top and place some sliced strawberries thereon.
3. Sandwich with another shortcake.
4. Make the other 7 shortcakes in the some manner.

For the garnish

1. Dust icing sugar on top of each shortcake and garnish with strawberries.
2. Serve surrounded by the sauce.