Biscotti

Biscotti is an Italian biscuit or cookie also known as cantuccini. It is very easy to make, it's nice to pair with any hot drink for an afternoon snack or midnight snack. It is oblong and crunchy, cut diagonally. Baked twice and is made from flour, egg, sugar and a small amount of baking powder. I make mine either plain, with nuts or with melted chocolate.

I've come to love this cookie as Wikipedia says it originated in the city of Prato in Italy. Biscotti is a plural form of biscotto. The word originated from medieval Latin word biscoctus meaning "twice cooked" so they were very dry and can be stored for a very long time. Non perishable goods are necessary long time ago for long journeys and wars.

Since they are very dry, traditionally it is served with a drink into which they may be dunked. In Italy they are served as after dinner dessert paired with Tuscan fortified wine called vin santo. Outside of Italy they are served with coffee including capuccinos and black teas. In Catalonia, it is called carquinyoli and is served  with a sweet dessert wine such as muscat or moscatell. 

Biscotti with vin santo
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Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup white granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 whole eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract  (optional)

1 cup almonds or any nuts of choice

Chocolate Dip:

100 gms. Semi sweet chocolate bar
2 tablespoons butter

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees centigrade).
• Prepare lined cookie sheet.
• Sift and mix all dry ingredients then add favorite  nuts. 
• Beat eggs and add the almond extract. 
• Incorporate liquid mixture to dry ingredients and form a dough.
• Divide dough into two logs, roll and place into prepared cookie sheet.
• Bake for 40 minutes until doughs are firm.

• Let it cool then slice diagonally.
• Arrange the slices back to the cookie sheet and bake some more for 10 to 15 minutes turning the slices over so both sides  are baked properly until the center is firm.
• For chocolate dip, melt the chocolate bar, add 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over hot water or microwave it until melted, dip or drizzle on biscotti one by one and let it cool before serving.