Time for some biscotti!

These classic twice baked cookies can be made in a variety of ways - you can use pecans or walnuts instead of the almonds, you can add dried apricots, cherries or blueberries....anything is possible! The whole-wheat flour in this case gives them an extra crunch.

They can also be drizzled with chocolate for extra sweetness.

This recipe is a lower fat alternative - there are only 79 calories per 3 cookies! part of my lose weight but eat well project!

Ingredients.

3/4 cup wholewheat flour

3/4 cup plain flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs (beaten)

1/4 cup low fat milk (or soy milk)

2 1/2 tbs canola oil

2 tbs honey

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds.

Method.

Pre heat oven to 350F

Combine The flours, sugar and baking powder.

Add the eggs, milk, canola oil, honey and almond extract and mix well

Add the almonds.

Mix until the dough is well blended

(I use my hands here-easier and more fun!)

Put the dough on a long sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a flat log about 12" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. You will need the plastic cos the dough is rather sticky.

Lift the wrap and transfer the dough to a non stick baking sheet.

Bake for about 20-30 mins until lightly browned.

Remove from the oven, put onto another baking sheet or a cutting board and leave for a few minutes to cool slightly.

Cut crosswise on the diagonal using a serrated knife and cut slices of about 1/2" thick.

Put the slices back on the baking dish, cut side down and bake for another 15-20 mins or until crisp.

When cool, you can dust with powdered sugar (or not!)

They keep well in an airtight container and are delicious with a cup of coffee!

Almond Cantucci

Valentine's day is approaching..so what could be better than a home made gift? I found this recipe from the Times online which always has the greatest recipes!
This was by Lindsey Bareham and makes elegant, wafer-thin biscotti for serving with creamy desserts or dipping into vino santo, coffee or hot chocolate.
Layer them between white baking parchment in little cardboard boxes, or bundle in cellophane with a pretty ribbon and label.

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
100g caster sugar
100g plain flour
100g  almonds
Knob of butter
You will also need baking parchment and a small loaf tin

Method
Heat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4.
Whisk the egg whites until stiff.
Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time.
Fold the sifted flour into the meringue in three batches to make a thick, mousse-like mixture.
Fold in the nuts, mixing thoroughly.
Lightly butter a 750ml-capacity bread tin and line with baking parchment.
Spoon the mixture into the tin, smooth the top and bake for 40 minutes until pale golden, firm and hardly risen.
Use the parchment to lift the loaf out of the tin, peel off the paper and rest on a wire wrack.
Leave to cool, allowing at least an hour.
Heat the oven to 125C/gas mark 1.
Using a very sharp, thin-bladed knife, slice the loaf very thinly, and lay the slices out on baking sheets.
Bake for 10-15 minutes a side or till dry and a pale golden colour.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool and crisp.
Properly dried, they will store in an airtight box layered with baking parchment paper for months

Savoury Biscotti

I really have the biscotti bug!

I bought some sun dried tomatoes and decided that i would make herb and tomato biscotti. They made a great accompaniment for my caprese salad!

The recipe is similar to my almond biscotti, with a few substitutes.

Ingredients.
1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 cup water
2 1/2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs canola oil
1/2 tsp mixed herbs ( I used Italian Seasoning)
3 sun dried tomatoes (chopped)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method.
Pre heat oven to 350F
Combine the flours, and baking powder.
Mix the eggs, water, oil, tomatoes and herbs.
Add to flour.
Mix until the dough is well blended
Put the dough on a long sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a flat log about 12" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. You will need the plastic cos the dough is rather sticky.Lift the wrap and transfer the dough to a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.
Bake for about 20-30 mins until lightly browned.
Remove from the oven, put onto another baking sheet or a cutting board and leave for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Cut crosswise on the diagonal using a serrated knife and cut slices of about 1/2" thick.
Put the slices back on the baking dish, cut side down and bake for another 20-30 mins or until crisp.

Chocolate Biscotti

It seems I can't get enough of these! A couple of pointers here, improved from my previous recipe

Since the mixture can be a bit loose, use the cling film to roll the dough before putting into the tray. Also, DO let cool before cutting. This will avoid the semi cooked dough from breaking. As. the name implies, biscotti are twice cooked. This is a must. Time can vary so keep an eye out while cooking

Ingredients.
1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa (choose a good quality type)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 cup milk
2 1/2 tbs canola oil
2 tbs honey
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts.

Method.
Pre heat oven to 350F
Combine the flours, cocoa, sugar and baking powder.
Add the eggs, milk, canola oil, honey and mix well
Add the walnuts
Mix until the dough is well blended
(I use my hands here-easier and more fun!)

Put the dough on a long sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a flat log about 12" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. You will need the plastic cos the dough is rather sticky.Lift the wrap and transfer the dough to a non stick baking sheet.
Bake for about 20-30 mins until lightly browned.
Remove from the oven, put onto another baking sheet or a cutting board and leave for a few minutes to cool slightly.
Cut crosswise on the diagonal using a serrated knife and cut slices of about 1/2" thick.
Put the slices back on the baking dish, cut side down and bake for another 15-20 mins or until crisp.
When cool, you can dust with powdered sugar (or not!)
They keep well in an airtight container and are delicious with a cup of coffee!

Almond Biscotti

These classic twice baked cookies can be made in a variety of ways - you can use pecans or walnuts instead of the almonds, you can add dried apricots, cherries or blueberries....anything is possible! The whole-wheat flour in this case gives them an extra crunch.

They can also be drizzled with chocolate for extra sweetness.

This recipe is a lower fat alternative - there are only 79 calories per 3 cookies! part of my lose weight but eat well project!

Ingredients.

3/4 cup wholewheat flour

3/4 cup plain flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs (beaten)

1/4 cup low fat milk (or soy milk)

2 1/2 tbs canola oil

2 tbs honey

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds.

Method.

Pre heat oven to 350F

Combine The flours, sugar and baking powder.

Add the eggs, milk, canola oil, honey and almond extract and mix well

Add the almonds.

Mix until the dough is well blended

(I use my hands here-easier and more fun!)

Put the dough on a long sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a flat log about 12" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. You will need the plastic cos the dough is rather sticky.
Lift the wrap and transfer the dough to a non stick baking sheet.

Bake for about 20-30 mins until lightly browned.

Remove from the oven, put onto another baking sheet or a cutting board and leave for a few minutes to cool slightly.

Cut crosswise on the diagonal using a serrated knife and cut slices of about 1/2" thick.

Put the slices back on the baking dish, cut side down and bake for another 15-20 mins or until crisp.

When cool, you can dust with powdered sugar (or not!)

They keep well in an airtight container and are delicious with a cup of coffee!