Almond Biscotti & COME SEPTEMBER
Biscotti C
Come September is a movie I repeatedly watch because it is a quality romantic comedy with talented actors and set in a gorgeous environment.
Set in stunning Italy, Come September (1961) depicts Rock Hudson as Robert Talbot, an American millionaire who owns an Italian villa that he visits one month out of the year. When Talbot makes an unexpected visit to Italy, he discovers that his overseer has turned his villa into a hotel. However, Talbot is too consumed with Lisa, played by the beautiful Gina Lollobrigida, to fully realize the situation, which is both hilarious and romantic at the same time.
While you watch this 60’s romantic comedy, eat warm almond biscotti – plain or dipped in chocolate – and enjoy a large latte. This biscotti was incredibly simple to make, and it turned out delicious. I questioned the outcome of the biscotti before I put it into the oven because the dough is heavy and dense. However, even though it doesn’t grow in size or change shape much, when you cut into the baked biscotti it looks exactly how you want it to. Almonds peek out once you slice the biscotti into angled pieces, and the dry crunchiness is surprisingly flavorful.
The word biscotti refers to a cookie or cracker and shares an origin with the British English word biscuit. Biscotti is an easy morning snack or a perfect coffee sidekick. Come September with almond biscotti makes for a delightful Italian morning/afternoon/evening. Buon appetito!
While you watch this 60's romantic comedy, eat warm almond biscotti - plain or dipped in chocolate - and enjoy a large latte. This biscotti was incredibly simple to make, and it turned out delicious. I questioned the outcome of the biscotti before I put it into the oven because the dough is heavy and dense. However, even though it doesn't grow in size or change shape much, when you cut into the baked biscotti it looks exactly how you want it to. Almonds peek out once you slice the biscotti into angled pieces, and the dry crunchiness is surprisingly flavorful.
Almond Biscotti
Serves: 20-22 | Cooking time: 2 hours
Ingredients
2 cups of almonds (whole or slivered) + ½ cup of almonds
2 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar + 1 ½ tablespoon of sugar
3 large eggs
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Method
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bake whole or slivered almonds on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Let cool.
In a food processor or blender, pulse ½ cup of almonds and 1½ tablespoons of sugar until finely ground.
Add flour, salt, and baking powder and pulse 4-5 times until mixed.
In a bowl, mix 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla on a high-speed until thick (about 4 minutes). Reduce speed and add flour mixture.
Add the 2 cups of whole or slivered almonds into dough.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough (which will be very sticky) into 2 halves. Wet your hands with water and mold each half into 2 logs about 2″ by 11″ and smooth the top.
Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown – they won’t expand too much, so it’s okay if they are on the same baking sheet.
Remove the 2 loaves from the oven. Using a sharp bread knife, slice the loaves into diagonal pieces. You can make these pieces as thin or thick as you would like, but usually they are ½ inch slices.
Bake the sliced piece for another 20-25 minutes until they are crispy. Flip them halfway through to ensure that they are crisp on both sides.
Enjoy warm or allow to cool before dipping into chocolate or coffee.
© A Dash of Cinema
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Food Images by Lauren Jessen; Film still of Come September by Universal International Pictures