-
1
Preheat the oven to 325.
-
2
Spread the blanched almonds in a pie plate or on a small baking sheet.
-
3
Bake the almonds for 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
-
4
Transfer the toasted almonds to a plate and let them cool completely.
-
5
Lightly oil a 9-inch round springform pan.
-
6
Finely grate 1 1/4 teaspoons of the zest from the orange.
-
7
In a food processor, pulse the toasted almonds with the confectioners' sugar until the nuts are finely ground.
-
8
Add the flour, 3/4 teaspoon of the orange zest and the salt, then pulse the mixture until combined.
-
9
Add the cold butter and pulse just until the mixture resembles large crumbs; stop pulsing before the dough begins to clump together.
-
10
Add the orange-flower water or vanilla extract and pulse just until the dough forms large clumps.
-
11
Scrape the shortbread dough into the prepared springform pan.
-
12
Using floured hands, press the dough into an even layer and prick it all over the top with a fork.
-
13
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the shortbread is golden brown around the edges; rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
-
14
Transfer the pan to a wire rack and immediately cut the shortbread into 12 wedges.
-
15
Let the shortbread wedges cool in the pan.
-
16
Meanwhile, with a sharp knife, peel the orange, removing all of the bitter white pith.
-
17
Working over a medium sauce-pan, cut in between the membranes to release the orange sections into the saucepan.
-
18
Squeeze the juice from the orange membranes into the pan.
-
19
Add the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest and bring to a simmer.
-
20
Cook the fruit over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries and oranges are softened and syrupy, about 8 minutes.
-
21
The fruit compote should be slightly thinner than jam.
-
22
Transfer the compote to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
-
23
Remove the springform ring and arrange the shortbread wedges on plates.
-
24
Serve with the strawberry compote and the creme fraiche.
