Thursday 29 April 2010

Pistachio and Ginger Biscotti

I am not a huge fan of Biscotti, I don't like that they are so hard, my sister says that is the fun in eating a biscotti you can dipp them in your tea/coffee.....but I disagree, why should you eat something so hard that you have to dipp them in your coffee to make them eatable.

Have seen lots of blogggers making them, and I tell to myself I should make them once. But the thought that it is hard puts me oof.
Untill I saw the Biscotti recipe in the New book Ottolenghi I bought.
I have been hearing almost for Six months so much good about this book from Deeba and Meeta I had to buy it.
And I have to tell you I curse my self for not buyin them early. It is filled with so much good recipes, that If there were people to eat all the food I make I would have made atleast 10 recipes in one go. But alas I can't do that as we ar ejust with three.

In the book it is written, it is not a traditional tooth-breaking Italian biscuit but a softer, frindlier version. Still it counts as biscotti because it is baked twice: once as a log and then sliced into thin biscuits.
And it just reading the above I thought why not make them and must say they taste realy good and you indeed don't break your tooth while you eat them.

While I was mixing the dough my kitchen was smelling like it was christmas time baking, with the ginger and orange etc..........


Makes 25.
80 gm unsalted butter
110 gm caster sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp brandy ( I added double)
grated zest of 11/2 oranges
150 gm plain flour, plus extra for dusting
1/2 tsp ground giner
1/4 tso salt
80 gm of shelled pistachio nuts
60 gm stem ginger in syrup, drained and roughly chopped.

1. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Using a electric mixer ( or good spatula and both your hands) cream the butter and sugar, together untill they lighten in colour and texture. Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition, stir in the brandy and orange zesrt, followed by the flour, groud giner and salt.
Lastly fold in the pistachios and ginger.
3. Lightly dust the lined baking tray with flour and spoon the mixture on to the tray. Leave to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes so it firms up a little.
Preheat the oven to 10°c/Gas mark 3.
4. Take the dough out of the fridge and using your hands and a bitr of extra flour, form a log shape about 25 cm long.
It does not need to be perfec, as the mix will spread during baking.
Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and leave to cool.
At this point the log will be partially baked and still quiet soft. Adjust the oven temperature to 130° c/ Gas Mark 1/2.
5. Once the log has cooled down, use a serated knife to cut it across into slices 1 cm thick.
Lay them flat on the baking tray and return to the oven for about 40 minutes, untill srisp,
Rempve and leave to cook.
Store in a sealed container.

50 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I have never seen ginger in syrup here...love biscotti.

Divya Kudua said...

Biscotti looks so pretty Finla..Love your presentation too.I've never had Biscotti ever and your explanation that it is not tooth breaking is tempting;)

Indian Khana said...

I find them very hard too....but this looks so gud...give the pista ginger touch

Jaya M said...

Happy,
those looks delicious with loads of pistachios.Tooth breaking,y? :)...
hugs and smiles

Shama Nagarajan said...

wow..yummy yummy tasty tasty

Priya dharshini said...

Thats perfect biscotti..i like ginger flavor in snacks..

Finla said...

Angie if you look in the chinesestore youwill see them,

Divya then now you should try them.

Jaya, i don't mean these ones are tooth breaking, i meant the ones i have had are toothbreaking hard :-)

SathyaSridhar said...

Finla,,biscotti came out perfect i like that pista n ginger touch dear. I often buy this biscotti packs in different flavours for me..

Anonymous said...

Those sound terrific, I like the combo of pistachio and ginger!

Unknown said...

i love ginger in bakes..looks and sounds so delicious..

Raks said...

Perfect snack! Recipe is too gud!

Deepthi Shankar said...

they looks gorgeous

Unknown said...

Looks grt and so tempting....perfect too

Dewi said...

It a nice variation of biscotti. I like how creative you are.

Sushma Mallya said...

you have made it so perfectly..looks yum finla

Simplyfood said...

These looks delicious and yummy.

Cham said...

Actually I love the hard biscotti, very different texture! The flavor are quiet excellent!

Namitha said...

I love biscotti and giner flavor is one of our favorites..I have one in my drafts but I used almonds instaed of pistachios..:-)But yours look much more perfect and wonderful

Priya Suresh said...

Pretty biscotti, love the additiong of ginger, truly irresistible..

Usha said...

I have been wanting to make biscotti for a long while now and yours makes me want to try it asap, looks fabulous!

Juliana said...

Wow, nice biscotti...and the flavor of it sounds absolutely delicious.

Laavanya said...

I love biscotti and infact prefer them crisp.. but it's definitely not hard to do.. especially for someone like you who bakes so many complicated things :) I love the pistachio and ginger combination.

Soma said...

The flavors rock here!! I have never made biscotti.. time i give them a try.

s said...

this looks so good..like it has little gems in them...Now I AM tempted to buy the book...

tasteofbeirut said...

I love biscotti and used to make it all the time; I made a recipe from Ottolenghi's book not too long ago it was a salad with chicken and loved it. Your biscotti is tempting me to make it asap!

indosungod said...

I love biscotti because of their crunchy but I do agree with you , by the time one piece is finished the jaw is hurting from the workout.

With pistachio this should have been delight.

Aps Kitchen said...

Can U gimme some..... Its so tempting :)

suvi said...

I love biscotti and these look perfect!

MaryMoh said...

Lovely biscotti. I would have all the fun dipping into coffee if I can have some. Guess I have to make myself :D

Bombay-Bruxelles said...

I LOVE to dunk my biscotti in sweet italian (or other) wine! This combination is a keeper that I'll Love. Thanks for the recipe!

chakhlere said...

ginger and pistachio is very different combo. must have been great .

I want to make biscotti from so long will try this now.

Rajee Mani said...

Lovely biscotti. A perfect afternoon snack with a cup of coffee :-)

notyet100 said...

loved ur presentation,,,this must have tasted so good,.

Suma Gandlur said...

We love biscottis. They look fab.

Mansi said...

they look absolutely perfect! nice and crusty:) the first pic is lovely!

shankari said...

I have to go look for ginger syrup. Was it clear syrup?

Sunitha said...

Looks great! The ginger in it remind me of khara biscuits from India..I am sure this one is far superior.

Samta said...

this looks so good - and ginger is my favorite. My hubby loves biscotti and I have been meaning to make some for him........... I will surely try this. Thanks for sharing.

Hayley said...

Totally agree with you..hard to eat!! yours looks tempting and yummy..

Rina said...

Perfect for a cup of tea or coffee..luv the flavours you put in..

Smita Srivastava said...

Looks too tempting ... Great clicks too !!

Smita
@ Little Food Junction

Ivy said...

Love pistachios in biscotti and the taste of ginger sounds like a great match.

Dori said...

LOL... I usually don't like crunchy hard cookies but I do like dipping biscotti in coffee :) They look great!

Dori said...

LOL... I usually don't like crunchy hard cookies but I do like dipping biscotti in coffee :) They look great!

Malar Gandhi said...

Ginger biscotti sounds awesome perfect for tea time.

gtyuk said...

they have come out superb !!! nice combination ginger/pistachios; that would be ideal for a nice healthy and nutritious breakfast!! I love it!!

FH said...

I agree too, too hard and crisp for my liking. We get plain and Chocolate Biscottis here at coffee shops for a dollar each. I bought once, never again. But they do have most wonderful, moist and chewy Oatmeal and raisin cookies I LOVE!

Great photo. I will post on Wednesday. Don't feel it bit I will be be back until June! :)

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Yasmeen said...

Love the toasty biscotti.Pistachio look so pretty :D

Cyhel said...

I tried this yesterday evening and i am dipping it right now in my morning earl grey :-) wonderful recipe! I had to use more flour and i added some more spices (cloves, allspice and kardamom) and it just smells and tastes wonderful! Thanks!!!