Breads

Almond Biscotti Recipe

YIELD - About 16

Ingredients:
1 cup blanched whole almonds, chopped coarsely (I used blanched slivered almonds)
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Toast almonds for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Let cool and then chop coarsely. Set aside. Beat the sugar and eggs on until thick (about 5 minutes). (When you slowly raise the beaters the batter should make little ribbons.) Beat in the almond extract. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the egg batter and mix until combined. Fold in the chopped almonds.

Form dough into a log, about 12 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the log is firm. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Transfer the log to a cutting board and cut into 3/4 inch slices. Place the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, turn slices over, and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown. (Many times depending on humidity it takes longer. I will take as long as the biscotti needs to get it dry.) Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container. They taste best dunked in hot chocolate.

Taos Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups warm water

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup pumpkin

1/2 cup cornmeal1 Tbsp dry yeast

2 eggs

1 Tbsp salt

6 cups flour (I use 1/2 white, 1/2 wheat)

Directions for Pumpkin Bread:

Measure out water, and sprinkle all the yeast and a pinch of brown sugar over the water.  Measure into a bowl the rest of the brown sugar, pumpkin, cornmeal, eggs, salt, and flour. Mix slightly.  Pour the yeast mixture in and knead until soft ball forms.  Set aside and let double in size.  Form in to rolls or loaves.  Let double in size again.  Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until done.

Directions for Spiced Whipped Butter:

Whip butter in electric mixer, add brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to taste.

Italian Cheese Bread

Ingredients:

French bread
1/4 to 1/3 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash pepper
grated Parmesan cheese
grated Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Combine the seasonings; sprinkle over top. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.