1 cup almonds 1/3 cup
candied orange peel (optional) 2 teaspoons grated orange zest 1
and 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon
baking powder 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 large eggs 1 and �
teaspoons almond extract
Toast the almonds in a 300 degree oven
for about 15 minutes. Chop coarsely. Put almonds into a mixing bowl
and add the orange zest, candied orange peel if using, flour, sugar,
baking powder, and salt. Mix by hand until well combined In a
separate bowl, beat the eggs with the almond extract. Pour the egg
mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until a dough starts
to come together. Knead the mixture gently until it forms a dough.
Cut the dough into 3 equal pieces. Compress and shape each piece into a
1-inch wide log and place the logs, 2 inches apart, on a baking sheet
lined with parchment paper. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly
golden and set. Remove to a cutting board, cool 5 minutes, and cut into
1/4-inch thick slices on the diagonal. Arrange the slices in a
single layer on the same parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake the
biscotti another 5 minutes, the turn the cookies over, and bake 5 more
minutes. Remove from the oven, cool on a rack, and serve.
CREAMY RICE PUDDING
4
cups whole milk 1/2 cup raw medium-grain white rice pinch salt 1
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2 large egg yolks 1/3 cup sugar 1 tsp
cornstarch
Place milk, rice and salt in a large, heavy saucepan.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer
gently, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, but not mushy.
You'll have to stir more frequently as the rice cooks to prevent
sticking and scorching. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with
the sugar, vanilla and cornstarch. Slowly add some rice mixture,
whisking constantly, to temper the eggs. Then pour the mixture back into
the saucepan, turn the heat to medium and stir until the mixture has
thickened and coats the back of a spoon (about 4 minutes). Transfer the
pudding to a serving dish and lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on
the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Serve warm, room temperature
or chilled - your preference!