Biscotti

A Wonderful Way to Relax

Sometimes one just needs to take the time to slow down at the end of the day, make a good cup of coffee and grab a cookie or two, put up the feet and enjoy the quiet. These cookies are made for coffee and fit the bill. 15 years ago I picked up a little book simply named, Biscotti. It is full of various biscotti recipes...so many to choose from! After my family devoured my first batch made in over 10 years, I think I will try them all. Well, why not?

Here is the first recipe in the book:
Biscottie Toscani 
1/2 cup almonds
1/3 cup of butter
3/4 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt 

Place nuts in a shallow pan and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Let cool. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract and orange zest. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Add to the creamed mixture, mixing until blended. Cut almonds into halves or thirds and fold in. Divide dough in half. Place on a greased and floured baking sheet and form into tow logs about 1/2 inch thick, 1 1/2 inches wide and 12 inches long, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake in the middle of a preheated 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until a light golden brown. Transfer from the baking sheet to a rack. Let cool 5 minutes. Place on a cutting board. With a serrated knife slice diagonally at a 45 degree angle about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 10 minutes, turning them over once, to dry slightly. Let cool on a rack. Store in a tightly covered container.