Whole Wheat Walnut Raisin Biscotti Food

WHOLE-WHEAT WALNUT-RAISIN BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with oil; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; stir in walnuts and raisins. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and vanilla. Add to flour mixture; stir just until combined.
• On a lightly floured surface, with floured hands, pat dough into a loaf about 1 inch thick, 2 1/2 inches wide (and about 7 inches long); transfer to baking sheet. Bake until risen and firm, 20 to 25 minutes; cool completely on sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• Place loaf on a cutting board, and using a serrated knife, cut diagonally into 1/4 inch-thick slices; place slices in a single layer on sheet. Bake, turning once, until dried and slightly golden, 25 to 30 minutes; cool completely.

RAISIN WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Grease a large cookie sheet.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together.
• Stir in the flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
• Add the raisins and walnuts, and stir to blend.
• Divide the dough in half.
• Shape each half into a long loaf, about 1 1/2 inches thick.
• Place the logs onto the prepared cookie sheet.
• Flatten slightly.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until firm.
• With a sharp knife, cut the loaves diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices.
• Place the slices cut sided down back onto the cookie sheet.
• Bake for about 6 minutes, turn the cookies and bake for another 6 minutes or so until lightly browned.
• Cool on a rack.

HEARTY WHOLE WHEAT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Mix together dry ingredients.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Divide dough in half. On greased baking sheet, form 2 logs about 2 inches wide and 13 inches long.
• Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees, then cool on rack for 5-10 minutes.
• Slice with serrated knife at ½ inch intervals.
• Return to oven for 10-15 minutes more, turning once.
• Cool completely and store in airtight container.
• If you have trouble handling the dough because of stickiness, add a little more flour, but not more than ¼ cup. Try oiling your hands or using a rubber spatula and wax paper.

RAISIN WALNUT WHEAT BREAD

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl or mixer bowl, add the whole wheat flour and the non-flour dry ingredients.
• Pour in the hot water and add the shortening.
• Beat with a wooden spoon 150 strokes or with the mixer flat blade for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the fruit and nuts.
• Add the flour slowly, mixing with a wooden spoon and then by hand until a rough, soft mass is formed. If using a mixer, use dough hook and add flour until dough forms a soft ball around the hook and moves with it.
• Knead for 10 minutes, adding flour if too wet and a little water if too dry.
• Place dough in a clean, oiled bowl and let it rise until doubled in volume. Another test is when a finger poked into it leaves a dent that remains.
• Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and gently roll into 3 strands, 20 inches long. If the dough resists stretching, cover and wait 10 minutes until the dough relaxes. The strands should be tapered at the ends.
• Braid the strands loosely and seal the ends, tucking them under.
• Cover the loaf with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in volume at room temperature. I place the loaf in the fridge overnight and the next day I let it warm and rise for about and hour and a half.
• Heat oven to 375F about 20 minutes before baking.
• Bake on a baking stone or baking sheet for about 30 minutes or until 200F internal temperature and remove and cool on a wire rack.
• Mix the topping ingredients and spread or drizzle on the loaf while the loaf is still slightly warm.

WALNUT RAISIN WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

Steps:

• Combine yeast, warm water, and milk in a large bowl. Let the mixture stand until the yeast has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Add the sugar, 1/2 cup cornmeal, butter, walnuts, raisins, salt, pepper, whole wheat flour, and 2 cups of the white flour. Beat well. Move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes, adding the remaining white flour as necessary to make it workable. Let the dough rest, covered loosley with a towel, for 10-15 minutes.
• Knead the dough again, until it is smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle with extra flour if you need to keep it from sticking.
• Oil a large bowl and turn the dough in it to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl and let dough rise in a warm place till doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape the halves into round loaves. Sprinkle a baking sheet with the remaining 2 tbls. cornmeal, and put the loaves on it, seam side down. Cover with the towel, and let them rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven, and bake until the bread is well browned and sounds hollow when the bottom is tapped with your finger, 45 minutes.
• Cool bread on a wire rack. Enjoy!