Thursday, December 31, 2009

Almond and Chocolate chip Biscotti and Happy New Year !

This will be our last post in 2009. When we say goodbye to 2009 , we would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and successful 2010 ! May the new year bring you joy and prosperity !

The first time I saw biscotti I thought it looked like rusk. And later, I found out that rusk is indeed the English name. These double baked cookies are known by as many different names as there are languages in Europe. If its called biscotti in Italian then Zweiback in Germany. No matter the names they have a similar process of cooking even though each ethnicity has their own way of flavouring. I can't help but quote Shakespear at this time. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." You get the drift!

biscotti

Talking about the first time I saw biscotti, it was in Germany. Walking down the streets window shopping I peeked into a bakery to glimpse a biscotti. Instantly I was reminded of rusks. You know what nostalgia does, right? A fresh breath of memories cruised in of rusks and coffee. In Kerala kids are allowed to take coffee and tea even black ones. So we, my sister and I, used to enjoy rusk dipped in our morning coffee. The coffee soaks into the rusk and the othewise subtle taste is tranformed into something like a wet coffee cake. But the first bite into Zweiback told me the textures were all the same but tastes far from the familiar. Zweiback has a distinct flavor of almond oil and nuts. If you have had rusks in Kerala you know that is definitely not how it tastes.

While talking over the phone with Sunitha she told me she loves the name "biscotti." And rusk being so much of a fond memory for me I decided to give it a shot at home. With the rest of the holiday baking I added biscotti to the list. Just like rusks this is usually dipped in coffee, tea or even wine in some places and can be a perfect holiday snack.You can make them and store in an airtight containers and it will last forever, so to speak. Best part of it all, eat them guilt free they don't have any butter :D.

I haven't used the traditional flavoring agent, almond oil in this recipe but feel free to do that in yours.

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 1 3/4 cup
Almonds- blanched and toasted -3/4 cup
Chocolate chips - 1/3 cup
Eggs- 2
Pure Vanilla Extract - 1tsp
Baking Powder -1 Tsp
Salt - a pich
Sugar -3/4 cup


biscotti

Method:

1.Blanch the almond by putting them in boiling water for a minute and then washing under the running cold water.Slip the skins off.
2.Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.Line a baking sheet with the parchment paper.
3.Toast the almonds in the oven for almost 10 minutes or until they are done.Let it get cool enough to handle and chop coarsely.
4.In a bowl mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.
5.In another bowl, beat the eggs well. Add sugar and beat till it becomes creamy.
6.Beat in the vanilla extract to this.
7.Mix the dry and wet mixtures together well.
8.Fold in the chopped almonds and chocolate chips.
9.Transfer this dough to the baking sheet and make a log out of the dough. The log should be approximately 11-12 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
10.Moisten your hands while doing this, since the dough is bit sticky.
11.Bake for 23-25 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool enough.
12.Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degree F.
13.Transfer the log to a cutting board and cut into slices that are 3/4 inch thick, just like you slice a log of bread.
14.Place the biscotti with cut side down on the baking tray and bake again for 10 minutes.
15.Take out from the oven, turn the sides and bake for 10 minutes.
16.At this point the biscotti is not very firm to touch, but it gets firmer when it cools down.
17. Store in a long airtight container.


biscotti

Contributor : Namitha
Recipe Courtesy:Joy of baking

48 comments:

  1. wishing the collaborative curry -pals a wonderful 2010. the biscotti looks perfect.

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  2. Wish you two a successful 2010!
    Thank you for offering us with such great Biscotti to farewell 2009!

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  3. wow, this biscotti looks incredible!

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  4. I can feel the great taste just by reading....enikkum kudi kurachu tharu?
    A very happy new year to you guys and may 2010 bring us all joy and happiness!

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  5. great biscotti happy new year '

    Love Rebecca

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  6. wow, these biscottis look divine, great recipe! Very nice photos too.. absolutely loved the second click! A very happy new year to you and your near-dear ones :)

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  7. Love biscotti. Has come out perfect. Wishes to you all a very Happy New year!!!

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  8. Great biscotti...

    Happy new year dear...

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  9. Those look absolutly yummy and gorgeous!!

    Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year!!!

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  10. Biscotti looks perfect and crunchy,Nava vathsarasumsakal....

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  11. Wow, the biscottis look so gorgeous and yummy :) Wish You a Very Happy New Year!!!

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  12. Happy New Year and Wishing All The Best In The Coming Year.

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  13. Biscotti looks perfect and crumchy!
    Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  14. Perfect Biscotti. I wonder how u make every recipe looks so easy to cook or bake :):)New year wishes to u and ur family.

    Chitchat

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  15. That is fantastic. Happy New Year to you all and your families.

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  16. Lovely way to welcome a brand new year with such a delicious cookies...and a happy new year once again to all of you,have a great year ahead..

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  17. Yumm.. biscotti, so good. Yours came out beautifully. I haven't made biscotti in a while; I use the flavor I must associate with them, anise, but I would not say no to yours! Well done.

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts. I shall visit with you again!

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  18. A great start to the new year, I love it even more, as it has no butter and no oil.
    Wishing you 2 pals a great 2010.

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  19. Looks absolutely delicious and your pictures are awesome.Happy New Year.

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  20. that looks like a great snack to try. Happy new year to you 2.

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  21. In my country (umbria, italy)we call them "fette" or "cantucci".
    happy 2010!!!

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  22. Yum, makes me want some coffee and a plate of these for my new years morning!

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  23. Mmm! Looks wonderful! Can't wait to grab more recipes from your blog!

    Happy New Year!

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  24. Perfect biscotti!
    Wishing You and Your Family a Happy New Year 2010!

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  25. Looks great!Have a wonderful 2010!

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  26. Its been great to know you in 2009 and wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous new year !!!

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  27. Gorgeous Biscotti.My best wishes for 2010 :D

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  28. Nice rusks. Must try them. Wish you both a very happy new year.

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  29. What a yummy idea to celebrate the New Year! Your biscotti looks perfectly beautiful!

    Best wishes for a ver happy and healthy 2010!

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  30. Wow, Great way to begin 2010. Ur Biscotti look so perfect. Awesome presentation. I simply love biscotti.Will try some soon. Wishing you and your family a happy, fun filled and healthy 2010. Also let me thank you for all the love and support extended to me and my blog. That surely is a great motivation to keep blogging.

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  31. I LOVE biscotti. Yours look fantastic.

    Happy New Year!

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  32. Beautiful and scrumptious biscottis...fantastic clicks..

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  33. Biscotti looks gorgeous and wonderful click as usual.

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  34. Hapy new year dearie.. :)
    biscotti looks amazing..perfect in color and shape...wish to have it with that tea now.. :) superb click as usual.. :)

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  35. hey happy new year...nice biscotti recipe

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  36. Delicious biscotti, perfect with latte!

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  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. tes biscuits sont sublime
    bonne soirée

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  39. HI Nostalgia and Gulmohar, Happy New Year! I have nominated you for a Kreativ blogger award as one of my favorite blog. Please come visit my blog and see how it works. Thank you!

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  40. Biscotti looks fantastic, what a beautiful picture...looks splendid:)

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  41. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
    my first time here and you have an awesome space loaded with lovely recipes and pics.

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  42. Dear all, Thanks a lot..Hope you all had a wonderful New year day :-)

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  43. woow its very very nice :) perfect!!! you have a fantastic blog!!

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  44. You're biscotti recipe is simply awesome! I have tried making this as an appetizer to our family reunion, and everyone loved it! It went really well with a cup of cappuccino coffee Great post and great pics! Thanks for sharing.

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  45. I love guilt-free treats. These biscottis look perfect to accompany my morning coffee!

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