Cookies to keep- Cashew nut biscotti




Time flew exceptionally fast this year; Christmas is here before I knew it. Yet there is no going back in drinking to the gaiety of the season, this year’s Christmas is very special in our house. Our daughter Sarah is now 3 months old, happily spending her time to eat, coo, smile and you know what. We cling to her as much as we can, we are warned that they grow up so fast,holiday baking can wait.

But then, this is the year to start a holiday baking tradition, especially since we do not really have any. We make fruitcake year around, as it is the only cake MrT ever longs for. I do bake cookies during the holiday season, but it changes from year to year. So I have picked a couple of my favorite cookies to make it our own, to pass it along my family tree! Cookie no 1 is going to be that fried cookie, which is nothing but a traditional Indian goodie my mother used to make for many other celebrations except Christmas. As for picking number two, currently I have no conflict of choices; it is going to be a biscotto. " Biscotti " if you are planning to eat two or more. Dunking is one of my favorite pass times. I grew up with good old rusk, dunked in black tea, swallowed without a thought crossing the mind. Rusk will eventually be honored in this blog with due respect and affection. But for today I raise my cup of tea to the very dunkable , al Italiano, biscotti. Be merry, it is the season!

The recipe is adapted from an almond biscotti recipe from BHG website.


2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup coarsely chopped cashew nuts
1/4tsp ground caraway seeds ( purely optional)

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the center of this mixture, add eggs and egg yolks. Stir to combine with the dry ingredients. Add melted butter and ground caraway seeds ( if adding), mix with a wooden spatula or by hand. When the dough comes together, stir in the chopped nuts.


Line a cookie sheet with foil. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface; divide into three equal portions. Form each portion into a 14-inch-long log. Keep the logs approximately 3 inches apart on the baking sheet; flatten slightly until about 1-1/2 inches wide. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until firm and light brown. Remove from oven and cool for several minutes. Using a serrated knife cut each roll diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. Place slices, cut sides down on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Turn cookies over; bake 10 to 15 minutes more or until golden brown. Store in an air tight container for a week or two.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yummo! Can't wait to bake these. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter Sarah! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with her.


Ann

Mishmash ! said...

Hello Arachana...Congrats...congrats and sending some sweet kisses to Sarah....:) Celebrate baby's first X'mas and create x'mas traditions for her :)

We love biscotti's too, especially my hubby....i add some dry fruits too for colour ;)Rusk or biscotti, ideal for a rainy day with a cuppa black tea/coffee :)

Merry X'mas !
Shn

Shilpa said...

Congratulations dear. You must be enjoying a lot with daughter. Now that explains the intermediate hiatus in blogging :).
Biscotti looks great.

Rajesh &Shankari said...

Congrats on the baby! This is indeed a wonderful christms for you.

Indian Food Rocks said...

Congrats, Archana! This is wonderful news! Hugs to you and little Sarah!

I am making your Christmas cake again this year. It's one of the best Christmas cakes I have had!

Anonymous said...

Hi Archana!Congrats Archan .Meery christmas and lovely cookies for this festive season.Bookmarked to try. Glad u r taking your precious time to post these cookies recipe in blog.
Madhavi

Mandira said...

Congratulations Archana on the new baby and new house :) First christmas with new traditions and old. Wishing you and your family wonderful holiday season :) And the biscotti looks gorgeous.. as ever.

Meera said...

Congratulations!

I love this recipe of cashewnut biscotti. Never had this before with cashews. I know it will taste wonderful.

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Sumitha said...

Hi Archana!What lovely news you shared!Congratulations to Mr.T and you.May little Sarah inherit all your precious skills:)Lots of love to her and you.Seasons Greetings to you and family!

Archy said...

Hi.. Archana..
Congrats dear, Enjoy the X'mas and new year with Sarah... :)

'Rusk' look delicious.. u recalled my childhood.. dipping rusk in the tea, specially during rainy season.. watching the rain.. it was fun..!!

Can i make this biscotti without egg..?

Anonymous said...

Dear Archana,
Congratulations on the birth of baby Sarah. Merry X'mas to you, Mr.T and Li'l Miss Sarah.

Best wishes,
Mamatha

SMN said...

Hey Congrats.. Archana and kisses to ur daughter Sarah.
Lovely crispy dish for winter.

sushma

Anonymous said...

Wow! CONGRATS Archana. So a very special christmas indeed this year with your bundle of joy. Good.

I love Biscotti. My kiddo loves it too. I was abt to ask you y/day for the recipe as you are the baking genius. Here it is to my surprise. thanks a lot Archana. will try this out for christmas.

Merry x'mas!

Rg.

Sagari said...

lovely biscotti recipe archanaa and color of chicken picke looks wonderfullll

Anonymous said...

Archana,
Looks really great! Perfect for holiday season.

Regards,
Vidhu and Shoma

J said...

Congrats Archana!! Wish you and baby Sarah a merry Xmas!!

Rachel said...

Congrats and yeah they do grow up fast..I had the habit of writing down every milestone of my toddler who is now 3 years.

Anamika:The Sugarcrafter said...

Dear Archana

Wishes come all the way from Botswana for a Happy Christmas celebrations and exciting fun-filled New 2008 to you, your family and your friends.

Tried some wedding cakes and birthday cake.Do have a look, after your holidays.

amna said...

absolutely loved ur blog. went thru each and every pic. the presentation is truly amazing and some recipes are so nice and simple.

will be back :)

archana said...

Thank you so much for your good wishes, you do know how to make a person feel special. Hope all of you are enjoying the season, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays !

Manisha, what's happening to the rum soaked fruits this year?
Nags- Welcome to this blog.

Shella said...

I am such an utter failure at making biscotti. Yours look so perfect.

Merry Christmas to you & yours

Lubna said...

Season's greetings and Congratulations on your new arrival.
Good to see you back.

Lubna

Anonymous said...

We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email sophiekiblogger@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)

ARUNA said...

wow i will surely try these out today!!!

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