Nanas Pepper Cookies Tarralli Food

NANA'S PEPPER COOKIES "TARRALLI"

Steps:

• In a small pan, heat the oil until just warm to the touch (maybe 70-80°F), and set aside.
• In a small pan, heat wine until very warm to the touch (about 100°F).
• Sprinkle yeast over the warm wine and let sit for several minutes until it softens; then stir to mix.
• In a large bowl, add all the other ingredients, including the warm oil.
• Add the wine/yeast mixture to the bowl.
• Use your hands to mix everything well, until a dough is formed.
• Turn dough out onto an unfloured board; knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
• Place dough in a clean, dry bowl.
• Cover the dough with a clean, damp, kitchen towel (not terry cloth), and let rise for about 30 to 60 minutes in a warm place.
• Cut the dough into small pieces.
• Roll each piece into a long, thin, rope (about the thickness of your little finger).
• Cut the rolled ropes of dough into 4-inch long pieces and join the two ends of each piece together so that it forms a round, doughnut like shape.
• Continue the rolling and shaping with all the remaining dough.
• Heat oven to 350-375°F Fill a pot with water, and bring to a rolling boil.
• Drop the shaped dough into the boiling water (a few at a time).
• When the taralli come to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon, and place them on a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) to dry.
• When all the taralli have been boiled and dried, place them on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 15-20 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
• Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack.
• When cool, serve with a glass of wine for dunking.

AUTHENTIC TARALLI

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, oil, and wine in a stand mixer. Mix ingredients using the paddle attachment until a ball forms. Switch to the dough hook and knead dough for 10 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat and add the remaining salt. Spread a large, clean cloth out on a counter or table.
• Pinch off a walnut-sized piece of dough once kneading has finished. Roll dough piece into a snake about 2 1/2 inches long. Form a tear drop shape, lightly pressing the two ends together to seal them into a ring. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Turn down the boiling water to a low boil. Drop taralli into the water a few at a time. Do not stir; they will sink at first, then begin to float. Remove floating taralli with a slotted spoon. Place them on the clean cloth and continue until all the taralli have boiled and are drained on the cloth. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until taralli are golden and firm on the outside, but still soft on the inside, about 40 minutes. Cool completely and rest for at least 1 hour before serving. Wrap with a clean cloth or place in a paper bag; store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

BLACK PEPPER TARALLI

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together dry ingredients. Add oil and half the wine. Use the paddle attachment to mix on medium-low speed for 12 minutes, adding remaining wine occasionally. Dough will be springy and moist but not sticky. If it is sticky, refrigerate 30 minutes and mix again. Add more flour a little bit at a time if needed.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees, or 350 degrees with convection.
• Prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners. Pull off a piece of dough (about 1/4 ounce or 8 grams) and roll on a work surface into a 5-inch rope tapered at both ends. Shape into a coil (or a ring, with the ends crossed over) and gently pinch to seal. Transfer to prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough, working in batches if necessary. (Can be made up to this point and frozen. Freeze on sheet pans, then transfer to freezer bags for storage. Do not thaw before baking.)
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking, until golden brown. (Add 3 to 5 minutes if baking from frozen.) Cool before serving. Will keep up to a week in a sealed container.