Biscotti Ai Pignoli Pine Nut Cookies Food

BISCOTTI AI PIGNOLI (PINE NUT COOKIES)

Steps:

• Put sugar and eggs in top of a double boiler (I improvise with a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan).
• The water should be hot, but not boiling.
• Beat until the mixture is lukewarm.
• Remove from over the hot water and keep beating until foamy and cool.
• Add lemon rind and flour slowly; gently blend into egg mixture.
• Drop by the spoonful (I drop 2 tsp for each cookie) onto buttered and floured baking sheets (or lined with parchment paper).
• Shape into neat circles with your finger, if you wish (this may get a bit messy).
• Leave a 1-inch space between each cookie.
• Sprinkle with the powdered sugar and press the pine nuts in a decorative pattern on each cookie (blanched slivered almonds would probably work just as well, if you don't have pine nuts).
• Let stand for ten minutes and then bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes.

ITALIAN BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Stir with a spoon and as the dough comes together, Knead by hand.
• Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes.