Monday, February 11, 2013

Jordan Almonds Simple Biscotti (Confetti Biscotti Simplici)

 

OK, Biscotti... The myth the legend the cookie!

Many of you will think that the cookie I am showing is not the biscotti you know.  Probably not, but this is still a Biscotti.  Just a Biscotti Simplici.  It does not have the classic "sliced from a loaf" look.  Instead it is rolled out like a sugar cookie, making them perfect to be cut with a cookie cutter.  More often the Italian Grandmother that I aspire to become will use a cutter to slice them into squares.  But we Americans... we just have to work it a bit more.

One BIG difference, these are a softer cookie than you think.  Not quite soft as a melt in your mouth sugar cookie, but not nearly as hard as a traditional shortbread Biscotti.

BTW, I have everything I need to make a traditional Biscotti cookie this week, so expect to see that recipe posted soon.

This recipe uses Jordan Almonds, or "Confetti" as they are called in Italian (Not to be confused with the little pieces of paper).  "Confetti" are a wedding tradition in Italy, handed out in bags containing 5 candy coated almonds...
Jordan Almonds for Thee
Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat
To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet.
Five wishes for the new husband and wife --
Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life! 
Tradition suggests using five Jordan Almonds for each guest.  One to signify health, for wealth, for longevity, for fertility and for happiness.
So, the origins for this cookie have been speculated to be a family returning from a wedding with bags and bags of candied almonds... So Mama Makes A Cookie!

In the photo below you can see bits of almond, even bits of the candy coating.  If you want a more festive cookie, use muti-colored "Confetti" (remember, Jordan Almonds) in the recipe for a Now the British word Confetti look... But I Digress.


 OK... First up....

Gather your Almonds.

1 Cup of the candied sweetness.
 Next up, pulverize!

I used a food processor.

Processing for about 10 seconds gets you a full cup combination of sugar sweetened almond meal and bits and chunks of almonds.
 Next, see the recipe below, but they roll out like a sugar cookie dough.

Now you have a few choices, easiest is to tale a pizza cutter and just cut into bars or squares.  Or these are a fine cookie to cut with a cookie cutter into shapes.  I like to use this heart shaped one.  Not only do you get a little romance, but also they cut two at a time, making almost a square so there is very little waste.
And next is baking...

Since there is very little rising you can put them close together.  The entire recipe fit on one cookie sheet.  I use a Silipat, but baking on parchment paper works just fine.

OK... Those are the tips, here's the recipe...


Jordan Almonds
Simple Biscotti 
(Confetti Biscotti Simplici)

Ingredients
  • 10 TBS (One Stick plus 2 TBS) Butter, Softened
  • 1/4 Cups Sugar
  • 1 Cup Flour
  • 1 TBS Milk if needed
  • 1 Cup PULVERIZED Jordan Almonds
Cooking Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a stand mixer, mix the butter, sugar and flour together
  3. Add the pulverized Jordan Almonds
  4. IF NEEDED, add milk 1 tsp at a time. Dough should be soft and holding together. Milk is added if the dough is too crumbly.
  5. Roll out 1/4 inch thick
  6. Cut into desired shapes
  7. Bake for 8 minutes, until the edges start to toast.
  8. Serve as a Dolci (desert) with wine or as a breakfast cookie with your morning coffee
  9. AND ENJOY!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Ways to Cook COOKIE, BARS and TRUFFLES"!!!

Old school like classic criss cross peanut butter to new takes on interesting recipes like a beautiful Red Velvet with the cream cheese mixed inside the cookie, accented with white chocolate chips!  Even a Pineapple Cream Cheese EASY Bar with only 5 ingredients! 
Stop on by, there's always a new cookie in the cookie jar!

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Also,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Authentic Italian Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop. The world's most popular cuisine, authentic, natural, organic, Farm to Table... the Italians started, perfected or embraced it before it became a fad. This page is a guide to Italian Cooking... For the home cook!  So, Cin Cin (toast) and Buon Appetito (Enjoy your Meal) to you all and let's Cook authentic Italian!

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