Chocolate Almond Biscotti

            The cold days (and even colder nights) are here. This year the chill is creeping in very slowly ( too slowly it seems). So my son still refuses to wear his sweater while going to school and comes back cold and hungry...
            These days, the kitchen pantry need to be stocked with all kinds of eatables ranging from cookies to corn flakes. As the hunger pangs are high in the winter season, the boys come to the kitchen in search of snacks, every now and then. If you don't have goodies stocked, then you are sure to get exhausted with their constant nagging to make something for them. So I decided to make something with a longer life span than muffins, so that I could store them for future use.

             I haven't made Biscotti , before; but have been planning to make one for sometime..They are twice baked biscuits originated in Italy and has an oblong shape and are usually baked with nuts like almonds or pistachios in it. Baking twice,makes them very dry and could be stored for long periods of time. As I have hardly any time for serious baking and cooking these days, I thought it perfect to make a big batch of biscotti and store it right away for the ever hungry boys :). The fact that it is practically a no-fat version of biscuits, made it all the more appealing to me because, after all am I not the person who polishes off the boys' left over food, every time?;) So if it's a low fat version, then the better for me..

            My elder son loves both chocolate and almonds. That's simply why I selected this simple recipe of  Chocolate Almond Biscotti. The product was a little bit dry, which was expected, but the combination of chocolate and almonds was fantastic, which gave the biscotti, a bity, nutty texture.

          At last I have a big jar of biscotti waiting to be attacked by two hungry little boys...:)

The Recipe:
(makes about 20 to 24 biscotti)
(Adapted from David Lebovitz' ROOM FOR DESSERT)

Things you need:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup (110g) semi- sweet or bitter sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup (110g) blanched whole almonds
1 tsp baking pdr
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180 degree C (350 degree F). Toast almonds for 8 to 10 minutes or until, lightly browned and fragrant. Let it cool and then coarsely chop and set aside.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• In a bowl, beat the sugar and eggs on high speed until thick, pale and fluffy.(about 5 min). Beat in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add the egg mixture and beat until combined. Fold in chopped almonds and chocolate chips.
• Transfer the dough to a well floured counter and roll into a log shape, about 30cm long and 3 1/2 inches wide. Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes or until firm to touch.Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes on a wire wrack.
• Reduce oven temp to 165 degree C (325 degree F). Transfer the log to a cutting board and cut into about 1/2 inch slices, on the diagonal. Place the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, turn slices over and bake for another 8 to 10 min or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an air tight container.