Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Choco-Cinna-Nut Biscotti

This week I wanted to bake an old favorite. I wasn't feeling muffins, or a quick bread, or scones, or even cookies (I know, shocking!). Ok, well I was kind of feeling cookies, because I made these Choco-Cinna-Nut Biscotti from Vive.

I substituted a sifted whole-grain spelt flour for the all-purpose flour, for a healthier take on biscotti. I've posted the recipe with the note for using spelt flour. You see, I knew I would need a bit more spelt, since I almost always do when substituting it for white flour. But, I didn't measure it. I just used two cups on the generous side. When I baked the two biscotti logs, they spread out just a bit more than they should have. Nothing major, the biscotti still worked beautifully, they were just a tiny bit flatter than I would have liked. So, if you make the same substitution, try about 2 1/4 cups spelt flour to replace the all-purpose (this note is also within the posted recipe).

After making these, I wanted to get back and come up with other variations. They are fun to make and even if you don't dip them in hot tea or coffee, they are still a nice nibbler, or you can have them with your 'soy-frappuccino'... (do they make these? I don't know, I'm not a coffee drinker.)

You may not be in the baking mood with the summer heat, but if you get the baking itch like I did, try out these biscotti. A little cocoa, a little cinnamon, a little nutty, and a whole lot yummy!

Oh, remember the guessing game yesterday? Well, I decided to make it a little contest to win a copy of the Everyday Dish dvd! So I drew names from those that guessed correctly on both of my photos (the chocolate pie and hummus dips). There were 3 fully correct guesses, and Teresa you won! I'm a sneaky vegan momma (just ask my kids)... you never know when I'm going to throw a treat out there. :) Teresa, e-mail me and I'll send you the dvd!

12 comments:

Teresa said...

WOW Dreena! Thank you so much! I didn't know I could win a contest that I didn't know I entered. You are a sneaky vegan Momma, and totally awesome too(which I'm sure your kids already know!).

As for baking... I think I bake even more in the summer (almost every weekend so far). This week was apple hemp muffins. But when I saw that you said these biscottis were in Vive I was convinced that this page was missing from my book. But upon checking their there, p.35. Thanks for pointing these out to me, I don't know how I skipped over them. They'll be next! I love all your baked goods!

-Teresa

Anonymous said...

Hi Dreena - I keep meaning to check a recipe with you - in my copy of Vive, the Carob Chip Muffin recipe calls for 1Tbsp of baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda. Is the quantity for baking powder correct, it seems a lot?

I'm currently making your Roasted Red Pepper sauce for tea tonight...it's a real winner! --Maureen--

Michelle said...

dreena, this is just too funny.. guess what the monkeys and i baked last night!? ... biscotti!

we must be on the same wave lenght ;)

Heather said...

The girls and I made this this afternoon. I must say it is so good!! I have always looked at biscotti and thought it looks so bland and dry but this is really good!!! (everything else of yours has why would this be any different) I wish I could open a bakery and sell all of your baked goods. Better yet open a "fast" food Vegan resturant. What a dream. Thanks again
ps- everytime you post a pic or someones mentions a recipe i normally try it that day or the next....mmmmm everything is so good

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Congrats, Teresa! You're going to LOVE that DVD! :)

KleoPatra said...

My mom is biscotti fan... she will drool when she sees this!

Sheree' said...

I have never made biscotti. I think I will have to try these. Thanks for idea.

urban vegan said...

They look wonderful...I adore biscotti, especially dipped in strong coffee.

Dreena said...

Teresa, you are totally welcome. It's fun to win stuff, hey?!! Yay! We all need to get a little freebie now and again, so that's why I like to throw out a surprise occasionally. I'll mail it to you soon. :)

Hi Maureen, yes, the Carob Chip Muffins do have 1 tbsp of baking powder. This is the equivalent of 3 tsp, so while it looks a lot, many recipes may have 2 or 2 1/2 tsp of baking powder, which isn't far off. Though I know there are some people that have very perceptive tastebuds for baking powder, and so if you are one of those folks and are concerned you will pick up on the taste, then try reducing to about 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 tsp of powder. I usually make these muffins big like a cake-y muffin, so the extra baking powder worked with my testing. But, I think you'll be fine to use a little less if you prefer. Also, I find soy milk works best in that recipe for the non-dairy milk ingredient, if you have/like soy milk. Good luck. :) p.s. I love that you said "for tea tonight", and glad you like that sauce!

Indeed Michelle! It's like Freaky Friday - er Tuesday, now Wednesday... oh well, yes we have some cosmic cooking connection going on. :)

3veggies, wow, you didn't waste any time! What a terrific thing to hear (and for you to say). Boy, I wish I had that power in my own home. Hmmm, put up a picture of a clean house and the girls start tidying their rooms... ha, now that'd be something! But really, I appreciate that you like my baked goods so much - thank you!

Thanks Vicki and Kleo. :)

Veg-A-Nut, they "seem" to be work, because there is the two-step baking process (bake in logs, then cool a little, slice and rebake), but really they are not much more difficult than other cookies, and if you like them much more soft and chewy, you don't even have to rebake them if you don't want to. Good luck if you try them!

Urban Vegan, sometimes I wish I liked coffee to accompany something like biscotti. I stick with my tea... or a little dip in softened ice cream works well too. :)

laura k said...

I definitely want to try your biscotti soon... I've never made biscotti so it seems a little intimidating to be--but really, that's no excuse! And I think I will probably try the whole spelt variation. Yum!

Carrie™ said...

I've never made biscotti either. I usually buy it at a local Italian bread shop. They never have chocolate though. Hmmm....maybe I'll give it a try. Honestly, I missed this recipe too. What is wrong with me??!! Thanks Dreena for posting about this. I've got my cookbook out now.

Anonymous said...

Dreena, I tried the recipe for the tahini you posted on myspace... AWESOME!
You done it again mama!
xoxo
Ashley-Michael McCarthy.
kitty_blonde@hellokitty.com