Italian confectionery is one of the great pleasures of life and work division is more enjoyable with a biscotti. These crispy cookies, which have become very popular in America, was appreciated in Italy since the 13th century. Now the world is catching up and wonderful about them is their variety. There is a basic recipe, but many different ingredients can be added for flavor and is fun and quick to make your own. If you prefer to buy groceries, they are readily available in the U.S., the UK and Europe. Even the dogs were in the act, with vendors selling liver flavored versions treated as a luxury.
The traditional recipe calls for flour and sugar in a two against one with enough eggs for a batter mix. Add baking powder and anise, butter is optional. Bake the dough into two long portions of about twenty five minutes, cut into individual pieces and re-cook until they are beautiful and difficult. Biscotti is always done twice to give the sharpness. Alternatives or additions to anise are often used. You can experiment with different ingredients.
Cookies are long, if you can resist wolfing them all at once and are ideal for travel. Many people like to dip the cookies in their coffee, it softens the biscotti and highlights the flavor. Others, especially in Tuscany, dip into Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine of Italy.
Preparation of the dough may vary slightly in different regions of Italy and the flavors vary too. Many people like a nutty taste and add the almonds, hazelnuts or pecans. A combination of chocolate almonds and works very well and peanut butter is used sometimes. Just chocolate on its own can be added or chocolate chips. For people with very low sugar, jellybeans make a welcome addition. You can have fruity biscotti with orange zest, cranberries, dried mixed fruit, apples, dried apricots or maraschino cherries.
Less is more sweet lemon juice. Some people put a cherry on the topping. If you prefer something a little spicy, some recipes call for cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg. Ginger may also be used. A delicious tasty idea is to use cheese and rosemary. These go well as an accompaniment to a salad of ham or pastrami. Whichever you choose the flavor you wish you had more breaks.