Blood Orange Toasted Almond Biscotti Food

ORANGE ALMOND BISCOTTI II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, almonds, and orange zest. Make a well in the center and add the eggs oil, and almond extract. Stir or mix by hand until the mixture forms a ball.
• Separate dough into 2 pieces and roll each one into a log about 8 inches long. Place logs on prepared baking sheet and flatten so they are about 3/4 inch thick. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly, and remove from baking sheets. Slice diagonally into 1/2 inch slices with a serrated knife. Set cookies on side back onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes, turning over after half of the time. Finished cookies should be hard and crunchy.

ORANGE AND ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 3 baking sheets with waxed paper. Lightly flour waxed paper. Sift flour and baking powder into medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until fluffy. Mix in nuts and candied orange peel. Add flour mixture and liqueur; beat until well blended.
• Spoon dough out onto 1 prepared baking sheet, pressing to form 12-inch-long rectangle, about 5 inches wide (dough will be very soft). Place in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Cut chilled dough lengthwise into 3 strips. Shape each strip on lightly floured surface into 12-inch-long, 1 1/2-inch-wide and 1-inch-high log. Transfer logs to remaining 2 prepared sheets, 1 log on 1 sheet and 2 logs on second sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush logs with egg yolk. Bake until golden and firm to touch (dough will spread), about 30 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheets. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
• Using serrated knife, cut logs into 3/4-inch-wide diagonal slices. Stand biscotti slices upright on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Bake until biscotti are pale golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container.)

ORANGE ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt with an electric mixer in a medium bowl. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the extract, orange zest and almonds, mixing to make a somewhat sticky dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead just until it comes together. Halve the dough and shape into 2 logs, approximately 12 by 2 inches. Transfer the logs the prepared pan, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Brush the dough all over with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sanding sugar, if desired. Bake until they are firm and golden in color, about 45 minutes. Transfer the logs with a metal spatula to a cutting board and cool for a few minutes.
• Cut the logs with a serrated knife on an angle into 1/2-inch slices. Lay them cut side down on the pan. Return to the oven and bake until golden brown on 1 side, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip biscotti and continue to bake until golden, about 10 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• Store biscotti for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
• Cook's Note: These biscotti are traditional and very crunchy. They are made for dunking.
• Tip: Serve with Kahlua Eggnog.

TOASTED HAZELNUT-ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large sheet pan. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar together. Transfer 1/2 cup of the mixture to a food processor. Add the toasted almonds and grind until fine and powdery, about 45 seconds. Add to the dry ingredients. Add the chopped chocolate and whole hazelnuts and mix.
• Whisk the eggs, extracts, and almond liqueur together. Add to the dry ingredients and mix. The dough may seem dry, but it will come together as you work it. If the dough doesn't come together, add water. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 equal pieces. Wet your hands and roll each piece of dough into a flattened log about 10 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 1-inch high.
• Transfer the logs to the pan, leaving at least 3 inches between the logs (they will spread during baking). Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan after 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
• Let cool 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees. Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board. Wipe off the sheet pan and grease it again.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the logs on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices, discarding the ends. Arrange the slices cut side up on the sheet pan. Bake until toasted, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the oven off, prop the oven door open, and let cool completely in the oven to set the chocolate. Store in an airtight container.

TOASTED ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet, place in the oven and toast for about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together and set aside.
• Beat the eggs lightly, just until they are blended in a mixing bowl with a whisk or in an electric mixer. Remove two tablespoons of the egg mixture to a small dish and set aside. Beat the sugar and almond extract into the remaining eggs until blended. Stir in the flour mixture to form a soft dough.
• When the almonds are toasted, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a bowl. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide dough in half and place one portion on well-floured work surface. With floured hands, pat into a six-inch square. Scatter half of almonds on dough and press them into surface. Roll dough into cylinder about 2 inches in diameter and 12 to 15 inches long. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Brush the tops of both cylinders with the reserved egg.
• Place in the oven and bake about 15 minutes, until golden and firm to the touch. Transfer to a cutting board and cut on an angle into slices one-half-inch thick. Return the slices to the baking sheet, standing them up, and return them to the oven. Bake another 20 minutes, until they are crisp and dry. Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.