Lidia Bastianich Recipes Biscotti

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN ANISE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C). Position rack in the center.
• Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) three 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, or bowl of electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment beat the eggs on medium speed until light and frothy (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add the sugar gradually and whisk for another minute or so.
• Add the oil and extracts. Whisk for another minute.
• Incorporate the flour mixture. Mix until combined.
• Pour mixture in the 3 prepared loaf pans.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm to the touch
• Remove from loaf pans and let cool for a few minutes.
• Transfer to cutting board.
• Using a serrated knife, slice cookies about 1/4 inch thick (or thicker).
• Place slices flat down on parchment lined baking sheets, and bake for about another 5-8 minutes or longer, depending on your personnel preference and your oven (the longer they stay in the oven, the crispier they get). Make sure to turn the slices over to ensure even toasting.
• Can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks...if they last that long.

BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 15 × 11-inch jelly-roll pan with parchment paper. Stir the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Beat the butter with a handheld electric mixer until creamy. As you continue beating, add the sugar gradually, until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the anisette. Pour the dry ingredients and almonds into the bowl, switch to a wooden spoon, and stir until the dough is smooth.
• Divide the mixture into two equal portions. Shape each into a loaf 12 inches long by 3 inches wide, making the sides and top even and smooth. Place the loaves side by side on the parchment-lined jelly-roll pan, leaving at least 2 inches between them and 1 inch between each loaf and the side of the pan. Bake until loaves are golden and the tops spring back when lightly poked with a finger, about 30 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 300° F. Cool the loaves until barely warm but still soft enough to cut, about 30 minutes.
• Slice the loaves crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide cookies. Lay the cookies on their side and bake until evenly golden brown and very firm, about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Biscotti can be stored in a covered container for up to 2 weeks.

LIDIA BASTIANICH'S ALMOND TORTE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt onto a piece of parchment.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing each in thoroughly before adding the next, and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the lemon zest and almond extract, then raise the speed to high and beat the batter until very light, a minute or more. At low speed, mix in half of the sifted flour mixture, beating just until it is incorporated; beat in half the almond flour. Scrape the bowl, and mix in the remaining flour and almond flour. Beat briefly at medium speed to make a smooth batter. At low speed, mix in the chocolate chips just until evenly distributed. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and spread it in an even layer. Scatter the sliced almonds all over the top.
• Bake, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until the cake is golden brown on top and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. Run the blade of a paring knife around the edge of the cake, then open the spring and remove the side ring. Cool the cake completely before serving. Cut it into wedges, and serve.