Today was very special. It was so nice to see a small community of like minded people come together in a common space. Everyone was there for the same reasons; we all love food, we all enjoy showing our love through food, and we were raising money for a fantastic cause.
I did get there on the later side, however I was still able to pick up some wonderful treats. I picked up a few of Joseline's macaroons from Daydreamer Desserts which were beautifully displayed. I also grabbed a Nutella Toaster Tart from Show Food Chef. Initially, I really fell in love with was her packaging ( I wish I photographed it), but when Eli and I tore off the wrapping, and took a bite, a little bite of heaven was inside. These are like a little mini pop tart, but a healthy version. I am making these immediately. There were so many more wonderful treats; mini bundts from The Food Librarian, amazing toffee from Rachel aka La Fuji Mama, and basket of the most wonderful cookies from Sherry Yard, whom hand delivered them herself!
Yesterday, I received a perfectly timed package from Amazon. I knew what it was and I instantly ripped open the box. I have been waiting for this book...Ready for Desser
I kind of had my baking agenda picked out for today's event. However, my day yesterday turned into an all day work day and when I got home, with the kids, after 3:30 p.m. I had to re-think. I opened up David's book, almost right to the page ( pg. 216) with the recipe for Almond + Chocolate Chunk Biscotti. It didn't require any softening of butter, it was a one bowl process and I had callebaut bittersweet chocolate chips in the pantry. A big sigh of relief!
In all honesty, I had big plans for my contribution to this terrific event. However, life got in the way and I had to do something a little bit less stressful. I couldn't have made a better choice. The kids were eating the crumbs off the cookie sheets!
After the event ended today, I took a huge bag of goodies with me to the baseball field. Today was a huge day for our baseball league. Not only did we have games all day (4 different leagues), but we also had our Hit-A-Thon (our leagues fund raiser) and it was picture day. So, the park was PACKED!
When I told my neighbors 3 girls that I was going to sell the cookies at the park, they volunteered to come and help. So glad they did. If it wasn't for them, I would never have sold all my inventory. Besides they are so cute and who could say "no" to three cute girls?
Almond + Chocolate Chunk Biscotti
ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
5 large eggs, room temp
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups almonds, toasted and chopped (I used toasted slivered almonds)
7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped ( I used callebaut chips)
directions:
• preheat oven to 350*. Line baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk together flour and baking powder
• In a mixer with the whip attachment, whisk eggs, sugar & vanilla on medium speed until thickened. Add the flour mixture with a rubber spatula, then the nuts and chocolate.
• On a lightly floured work surface, , divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a log 3" wide. Set the logs on the prepared baking sheet. I like to bake one per sheet ( I doubled the recipe so I had 4 logs).
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet midway through baking, until lightly brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 300*. Let cool for 15 minutes
• Transfer logs to a cutting board and with a serrated knife, cut diagonally about 1/2 inch thick. Place, cut side up, in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake until firm, about 20 minutes, flipping them midway through. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Will keep in an airtight container for one week.
Susan, Those cookies are so cute! I had to pick up a friend at the airport and couldn't attend the bake sale; I'm so happy it was such a huge success. Hope to see you at the June 2010 Eat My Blog bake sale! :) - mary
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful event!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, I grabbed some of your biscotti and it was DELISH! I love that pic of Gaby and I...would you mind sending me a copy?
ReplyDelete