It always comes as such a surprise to me when someone doesn’t like a flavour that I love. I know that different people’s tastebuds perceive flavours differently, and what is delicious to some is bitter and abhorrent to others. Cilantro is a good example, I know several people who find it soapy and bitter, whereas I adore it. On an intellectual level, I understand that there is something physiological underlying this, but it still doesn’t keep me from being utterly astonished when someone professes disgust at a food I love. I suppose I just think that there are certain flavours that should be universally loved. Rosemary is one such flavour. I remember a friend in grad school telling me she didn’t like focaccia because she didn’t like the rosemary on top. I couldn’t fathom it. This simply didn’t compute…how can you NOT like rosemary?
We’ve had a source of fresh rosemary around for almost a year now. Last spring, we had several pots of herbs on our patio, and when the weather got too cold in the fall, we brought them inside and put them on the windowsill of our big, south-facing front window. Just as that one plant was beginning to die out, around Christmas, a friend gave us a large rosemary plant in the shape of a Christmas tree from Trader Joe’s. That plant has thrived, although it’s no longer in the shape of a tree, from all of my trimmings and using for recipes. But it’s so wonderful to have, and I love coming up with recipes to showcase that sharp, evergreen flavour.
This particular recipe is one I had rolling around in my brain for quite some time. I love the idea of a savoury shortbread, and rosemary seemed like a perfect match for it. Although I call it shortbread, it’s not shortbread in the strict sense of the word. True shortbread is an interplay between butter (or shortening) and flour. But without the gluten in flour, I have to find another way to bind the ingredients together. In this case, an egg is my binder and the butter is actually kept to a minimum. With a low oven temperature and a longer baking time, I can mimic the texture of shortbread, even with low carb, gluten free ingredients.
The Results: Rosemary…how can you not love it? And this savoury shortbread is a wonderful way to showcase that crisp, evergreen taste. The parmesan provides a salty, sharp complement to the rosemary, and the sea salt on top adds an elegant touch. These are perfect as an afternoon snack or an appetizer before dinner. Perfect with a glass of wine.
Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread
This recipe has been included in our cookbook, Low-Carbing Among Friends, Vol. 1. It is available for purchase at AmongFriends.us or at Amazon.com.
Makes 16 shortbread. Each piece has 2.13g of carbs.
I am Carolyn, a writer, runner, mother and diabetic. I am also the evil mastermind behind this blog. I live for food. Join me in my experiments in creating delicious low carb, gluten free recipes. 
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These sound so good! I love rosemary and it must be delicious with all that parmesan!
These sound delicious especially with the rosemary. I too find it unbelievable when I love a food and someone else doesn't. There are many debates in this household over what's "good". Haha!
Savory shortbread sound so good, especially with the rosemary. You are lucky to have a "private stash", so you don't have to run to the o use rosemary in a recipe.
Hope that you had a very Happy Mother's Day!
This sounds delicious! I like all herbs and spices
so I tend to go very heavy-handed in some of my cooking!
Lovely recipe! I have never made any cookies with herb before… But I can imagine how tasty it will be! Thanks for sharing!
Heavenly. I make a non gluten-free version of this that is completely addictive, so I'm (again) amazed at your healthier version.
Om nom nom! These look very yummy. I love savory shortbread and I'll tell you what…if someone doesn't like rosemary, keep a wary eye!
Thanks for sharing
Rosemary is such a versatile flavor. I love cooking with it and I love it in bread too. This looks like a tasty twist!
Ah rosemary is one of my favorites, the other being thyme. I can see why some people would say cilantro tastes soapy,ha ha. Your shortbread looks the bomb and to add in parmesan takes it from economy to first class…
Great job!
You always have the best recipes! I come here to get inspiration from you all the time! And your pics are always so gorgeous!
I have made shortbread with Rosemary myself, Love this combination…I have plants that are taller than me in our yard.
Wow – these look wonderful! Thank you as always for posting fantastic low-carb recipes. Cannot wait to try them!
I am addicted to Parmesan Cheese and I have a big ol' Rosemary plant begging me to pick him! These are on my list. YUM!
These look incredible…and I love the description.."perfect with a glass of wine". I'll definitely be giving this a try!
These look really good and elegant. I like that it has rosemary in it. I am a new follower of your blog and hope that you'll visit ours soon!
Lori
I like rosemary but am not always sure what to do with it (I always associate it with meat, which I don't eat), so it's great to see an example!
What a unique idea. I like rosemary quite a bit – as does the husband – so these would probably go over quite well in our house. If you had made them with cilantro, though, I'm not so sure. That's right: My husband is one of those people.
He can detect cilantro from a mile away and always says, "Uh, there's cilantro in that."
My husband doesn't like rosemary, I didn't realize that was so common. I do, though, and I think these look great!
Oh my does this look fantastic!And your photography is gorgeous – I can’t wait to try this recipe.Thank you!!
Love, love rosemary…sweet smell along with a savory taste. Mmm, the best of both worlds, as far as herbs are concerned. From your pics alone I imagined these shortbreads having a perfect "snap" with a melt-away in my mouth.
Those came out looking so perfect! Rosemary and parmesan is a winning combo…especially in these lovely, buttery biscuits!
What a stunning short bread! I haven't thought of this combination before! It sounds delicious
I love all herbs except dill, can't stand it! These rosemary biscuits sound delicious. I'm trying to get my head round a vegan version. Olive oil and flax seeds maybe, I'm new to this vegan thing!
I agree, it is sometimes hard to believe that people don't like things that you love. For example I love both cilantro and rosemary. I do think they can be overpowering if you use to much…but I do love them.
Your Parmesan shortbread looks amazing!
Carolyn, I'm always impressed with your special gluten-free, sugar-free recipes. This is no exception: love the sound and look of your rosemary shorbread. BTW, I'm like you: how can people not like something. Latest was at a party and someone said: I just HATE chocolate. OK…Should have had these handy!
Incredible!!! I love everything from the recipe to the pictures! Hey foodbuzz I want to see this on top 9!!!!!!I am totally buzzing!!!
I adore cilantro and rosemary – and these are perfect cookies!
I have got to try this recipe!! The flavor combinations sound out of this world!!!
Don't gasp… I don't like rosemary! BUT…. I STILL want to make your shortbread, with thyme
.
I feel same like you. I guess b/c I grew up having to try every thing and I like almost every thing. Especially rosemary. These look perfect for a glass of white wine for certain.
I love the savory elements to your shortbread and your photos are simply beautiful. Totally buzz-worthy.
Beautiful. I am a savory shortbread fanatic.
I love rosemary! I definitely must try these.
Love shortbread and love the idea of Rosemary and Parmesan together in this cookie. Great combination! And I, for one, love rosemary. People that don't are missing out.
Wonderful recipe – that's a keeper! Stumbled and saved
That looks great!!! I can't wait to try this!
I love rosemary, these sound wonderful!
My taste buds have to disagree with yours on the cilantro though
Very interesting! The look like little polenta cakes. Will have to try these out. Or perhaps with lavender!
These look fabulous! I just LOVE rosemary and use it whenever I can
rosemary, Parmesan in a shortbread, what's not to love. perfect snack.
stunning photos Carolyn.
Once a week we have fresh focaccia at school and some kids (usually craving for bread) do not eat it because of the rosemary. I'm always shocked. I love love love rosemary. Once I tried a rosemary parmesan cookies recipe but it was a failure. I guess it's time for me to try again with your recipe. I'm looking forward!
I love cilantro and I love rosemary. And these shortbreads look amazing!
I love rosemary! I've made lemon rosemary shortbread but I love the idea of going all savory with the parmesan! I'll be trying these for sure!!
Hi Carolyn! I have to say, until I visit your site and see all these yummy treats have low carb and gluten free, I didn't know it's possible to eat these sweets and keep it healthy. You are really inspiring so many people with your beautiful pictures that convince us these are as good as regular kind. i love shortbread and these look so delicious!
If these are as good as the pictures I am sold! What a wonderful combination of flavors
What a great flavor combination! These sound so good
Love shortbread but never tried rosemary one. Would definitely like to try.
I have never tried rosemary in shortbread before, but I love rosemary and I think I would love it…
Love the pictures too! They are gorgeous! 
Thanks for sharing!
Wouldn't these be good with dill too? Hmm, what fun it would be to play around with your recipe. I'm with you on the rosemary – love it – but I'm a cilantro hater.
Everyone is always really shocked when I tell them that I HATE watermelon.
Shortbread and rosemary…this has got to be incredibly delicious!
Congrats on Top 9, my friend!
What a great idea to do this with almond flour! I make a similar cookies with kalamata olives and rosemary or basil. I'm definitely going to experiment with the almond flour next!
Congrats on Top 9 Carolyn!!
YUM! I agree…I just love the smell of rosemary baking in my kitchen! I did a version of this with herbes de provence for the holidays a few years back and I still have people asking for me to make them to this day.
First off, loved that little bundle of shortbread wrapped up in a string…what a great food gift idea. And then yum to your creative recipe, rosemary and Parmesan go so well together.
WOW how can anyone not LOVE rosemary? These look incredible!
This sounds great! I recently got some Himalayan pink salt from Sustainable Sourcing https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com (gluten-free!) and I'll have to try it out in this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Im one of those people who love rosemary and hate cilantro. This shortbread does look amazing.
I love rosemary and cilantro too! These look amazing and I bet they tasted amazing. Nice pictures!!!
Congrats on this awesome savory shortbread! It looks fantastic and I can't wait to make a savory one myself
These look fabulous! I have linked to this post in today's Delicious Links roundup. Happy Monday and I'm so glad I found your blog, LOVE IT
I love the idea of a savory shortbread and the flavors you picked are so spot on. Great post.
I bought all the ingredients this weekend and am preparing to bake! Just needed one more peek at your pics. Thanks in advance because I don't know how these could not turn out fabulously!
These are divine! I just baked a batch this afternoon and am enjoying with a chilled sauvignon blanc. Thanks for a superb recipe. Love your blog. Am trying the chipotle cheese crisps next.
kaurandt – glad you liked them!
Great recipe. I love Parmesan cheese and this is such a clever way to taste all its goodness!
I recently wrote an article on how real Parmesan cheese is made and on its nutritional value. Check it out and let me know your thoughts, I would really appreciated it!
http://www.theironyou.com/2011/06/how-parmesan-cheese-comes-to-life.html
Peace
Mike @TheIronYou
wow! they are lovely and look so yummy. perfect for breakfast paired with the best cup of coffee makes my day complete.