Tuesday, May 25, 2010

TWD Rewind: Lenox Biscotti (Almond Biscotti)



Today is my TWD 1-year anniversary! Almost exactly 1 year ago or just about. The cinnamon squares were my first TWD-bake. To celebrate, I have opted to do a TWD rewind and make something that was chosen before I was a member. Lenox Biscotti. Originally chosen on Oct. 14, 2008. It's still likely going to be 1 yr before I get a chance to pick, but I'm having a great time. Thank you all for being so awesome and inspiring and encouraging.

I love making and giving biscotti as gifts. They look gorgeous piled into a pretty jar, balanced on the rim of a coffee mug or simply wrapped up in a cellophane bag and tied with a brightly colored ribbon. They are always so expensive to buy from the store yet so easy to make at home.

There are so many variations of biscotti that I have yet to make the same recipe twice, however, I may make an exception for these Lenox biscotti (The Lenox is one of Dorie Greenspan's favorite restaurants in New York City) from her book, Baking: from my home to yours. I whipped up this batch to give to my amazing co-workers. They say I spoil them with my baking. I say, thank Goodness I have peple to pawn my baking off on otherwise I don't know what I'd do with it all.

The cornmeal in the recipe gives a nice little crunch. Unlike some biscotti, these are crisp yet not so hard that they are difficult to bite into. I enjoyed them even without dunking them in coffee or tea. I hope you try these. they are really delicious in a simple, no frills kind of way. However, if you wanted to dress them up you could easily drizzle them with melted chocolate. My quest for the perfect almond biscotti recipe ends here.

Lenox (Almond) Biscotti
adapted from Dorie Greenspan

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sliced almonds

1. In stand mixer cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and cornmeal and add to the butter mixture. Fold in the almonds.
3. Scrape half the dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Using a spatula and your fingers, form the dough into a log, 12 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Repeat with the second portion of the dough.
4. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until the logs are light golden but still soft to the touch. Let cool for 30 minutes but keep the oven on.
5. With a long serrated knife cut 3/4 inch slices diagonally from each log and stand them up, spaced slightly apart, on the baking sheet. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes until firm and golden. Store airtight for up to 2 weeks.

24 comments:

Cathy said...

I love biscotti....do not love crumbs in my coffee though. I'll have to give this one a try if they are "biteable".

Anonymous said...

I have to try these. I know they got a lot of good reviews from the TWD group!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Give me a latte too and I'm in heaven!

Pamela said...

This was such a great recipe. I think I'll make them again soon. I gave some to my sister when I made them and she called to let me know just how much she loved them. Thanks for the reminder. They look so tempting!

Helen said...

Mmmmm I love biscotti! I have the Baking from my Home to yours book but have never participated in TWD. There are so many recipes in it that I would love to make, I need to get round to it!

Cindy said...

I joined after this recipe was made. Looks like a rewind is in my future!

Valerie Gamine said...

Your pictures could be right out of Dorie's book.
Happy TWD Anniversary! :D

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hi Tia! So nice stopping by to visit your lovely blog! I love biscotti and these look really good. There are many recipes in Dorie's book that I haven't made. I joined in October so I have lots of catching up to do.

I can tell you have a baking obsession as you mentioned in your 'About Me'... each post is filled with great looking photos! It was such fun reading each one.

Nice meeting you!
Kindly, ldh

Judy said...

Great looking biscotti! I'll be sorry to see TWD come to an end. Hopefully, it will be awhile. I've been baking here since Feb.2008.

natalia said...

Ciao Tia your biscotti look great ! I wish I could have one ! Love

alvarosa said...

Hi Tia!
Happy 1st anniversary - thanks for a lot of comments you left on my blog, even though I am a newby... and thanks for sharing a lot of great recipes and variations, and wonderful pictures!

Flourchild said...

Happy one year anniversary! Im glad you liked the biscotti. I love them with a cup of hot tea!

spike. said...

I missed this recipe- will have to do a rewind myself and try them!

Marthe said...

I remember making these and screwing up on my first batch... The second batch however was amazing!!

Mary said...

they look great. This is one of my all-time favorite TWD recipes.

Erin said...

Happy TWD anniversary! I think you and I are pretty close together in the recipe rotation. I've heard raves about this biscotti, but never tried them. I'll have to do that soon.

Hindy said...

I've never made this recipe either. Thanks for picking a good one that now we all want to try!

Leslie said...

Congrats on your 1 year TWD anniversary! I remember these as being a little challenging to make but still delicious. Yours look WAY better than mine did (this was one of the first recipes I made with the group). I'm going to have to do a rewind myself! Thanks for the inspiration.

margot said...

Those biscotti look fantastic! Those were made just before I joined the group and I rewound to them too - they're delicious.

Congrats on one year of Tuesdays With Dorie. I really is such a fun group.

Paula said...

Like you, these were done before I discovered TWD. Since my husband likes to eat biscotti without dunking, sounds like I should try these.

Piggy said...

Your biscotti looks great! This recipe is a keeper, and I love it too!

Annette said...

Those look yummy. I love biscotti. I'm going to have to add them to my to do list. :)

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

Love biscotti! Yours looks phenomenal!

xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls

steph- whisk/spoon said...

this recipe was a winner! your co-workers are indeed lucky to have you baking for them! :)