Friday, May 27, 2011

Honey Pistachio Biscotti


My husband frequently laughs at me, but I could spend an entire afternoon flitting around our backyard shooting photos of flowers, better yet, macro shots of the stamens of said flowers or even the sharp ruffled edges of a rose petal.  While he has always been supportive of my photography "habit" we do seem to have a few creative differences.
 
Geranium
Some 30 years ago my Dad gave me my first SLR, a film Nikon that I still have and will never part with.  I've spent more money than I care to know on film and developing and pushed my husband years later to the cutting edge of the digital era in order to keep a roof over our heads.  Buying me a Sony digital camera shortly after our son was born  had the camera shortly paying for itself as I gave up my film habit and entered the digital world with thousands of those must have photos of my adorable toddler.

Surprising me years later with a gorgeous Canon DSLR, my husband sent me further into the realms of exposure and aperture and I invested in a few inexpensive lenses to play with.  Fast forward a few years more and he upgraded my DSLR once again to my current Canon.  But until today I've never really had really "good glass".

Spider Lily
The Amazon Delivery Guy was at my doorstep early, and with trembling hands I soon held my new 60mm f/2.8 Macro glass.  While this is admittedly only a mid-level lens, it's the best I've personally ever owned and I'm pretty darn excited.  Without delay the pups and I mounted the lens and headed outside to test shoot a few of our blooming flowers.  A quick review on the LCD screen had me giddy, but loading the shots onto the computer for a full scale intense review had me positively intoxicated with glee!!

As luck would have it, Ellie Krieger's Honey Pistachio Biscotti was on my afternoon docket and my new lens and I got to work.  With the ingredients mixing together quickly, the pistachio filled "logs" were ready for the oven in no time.  Within less than a quarter of an hour the kitchen was filled with the heavenly aroma that comes with baking biscotti and we were soon slicing the logs into individual cookies.  A second trip to the oven had the Italian-bred cookies crisped and ready for tasting.

Whole wheat flour lends a slightly nutty flavor to these not so sweet biscotti while the pistachios bring an antioxidant punch that eased my guilt as I reached for thirds.  I can personally vouch that these crunchy little guys pair wonderfully with a glass of red wine.  Tomorrow I will do a taste test to check on their pairing with my morning coffee, though I can say without a doubt that the pairing will be just fine...
 
 
Honey Pistachio Biscotti
adapted from Ellie Krieger                             (Printer friendly recipe here)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 large eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsalted, shelled pistachios

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat together the sugar, honey, eggs, oil, zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract until well combined. In batches add the dry ingredients until the mixture forms a dough. Stir in pistachios. 

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead several times. Shape into a log about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Turn the cookies over and bake the biscotti until golden 5 to 10 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Note:  After slicing the biscotti I place them "standing up" onto the baking sheet, removing the need to "flip" the cookies after 10 minutes.  For my second bake I baked them for about 17 minutes "standing up". 


Hibiscus stamen

31 comments:

  1. LOL my mom is at my house looking over my shoulder as I pulled up your page. She immediate was like Ooooh why dont you make that? Its mama approved!

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  2. looks fabulous delicious to snack on

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  3. I still don't have a macro lens and I dream of the day I will have a good one! maybe one day I will be shooting flower stems too :) I'm sure looking forward to it.
    As per the biscotti...you just gave me a wonderful idea for the swap I'll have with some food bloggers on Sunday! Thanks Kim!

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  4. These biscotti look so crunchy and good with the pistachio nuts, I'm going to have to bake some of these. Your photos are just gorgeous, congratulations on your new macro lens;-)

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  5. These biscotti look wonderful! Congrats on the new lens...I'm sure you're going to get some fantastic shots with it...

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  6. Your biscotti look amazing and I think I would love them paired with a glass of muscat or maybe some ice wine. I love how your new lens is letting you get up close and personal, but the real star is the photographer behind the lens. Your photos are always stunning.

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  7. I'm jealous of your new lens! ;-) I just use a simple cybershot... until I get something fancier, I'll drool over the better ones. :)

    The biscotti looks gorgeous! I love that up-close shot!

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  8. Wow gorgeous flowers and gorgeous food! This is a double whammy post :-)

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  9. Oh, my gosh...your flower (and stamen) photos are fabulous! Looks like winter is GONE! And your biscotti sounds wonderful...yum.

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  10. Yum! This looks so delicious! I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but when I do, I must have a biscotti. These look absolutely dreamy to have with coffee!

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  11. love this recipe!!! i have never made biscotti before but I will have to start! LOVE your pictures they are absolutely beautiful! A macro lens is on my wish list for sure! enjoy it!

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  12. Kim, your pictures are incredible! I have a hand-me-down Canon Rebel from my photographer brother, but I really don't know how to use it to it's best advantage. If you ever come out this way, you're going to give me some lessons, 'kay?
    And make me some biscotti while you are at it!

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  13. Hooray for new toys!!! I have camera envy right now :( My Canon is at the doctors for a runny ISO. Hopefully I'll get him feeling better soon. Lovely recipe, this biscotti looks super yummy!

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  14. I love the continuing love affair of a girl/woman and her cameras and the history. When my children were young I thought I should invest in stock at Kodak - I spent so much developing film. Your biscotti show off your considerable camera skills - they entice, invite and have me looking for ingredients. And the hibiscus stamen is perfect, too.

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  15. Ok, including pictures of Liv dancing with food is the worst thing you could do for your wonderful food, but this is the second worst. What amazing photos. That first one looks like a little sea anemone.

    That being said, the biscotti looks fantastic. I love the stuff with coffee so think of me while you're enjoying it. :)

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  16. I am not half the photographer you are, and i still use a point and shoot, but that's exactly what i do too! I am constantly taking pictures in macros mode and driving my husband insane :D

    Your pictures are absolutely GORGEOUS! Keep shooting those stamens till they drop :) The biscotti sounds yummy... love the combination of flavors...Thanks for sharing :)

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  17. Your pictures are just stunning..I recently bought my first DSLR and I'm saving up for a macro lense..
    The biscotti looks amazing..I love biscotti in all its shapes and kinds

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  18. Your photos are always so beautiful!! I loved reading the history of your cameras. My mother had an SLR that she regrets not taking with her when she and my father split. I love all of your macro shots! I want one now :)

    The biscotti looks awesome! My husband loves biscotti so I am always looking for a nice recipe for him :)

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  19. Your photos are always amazing - and another Top 9 to prove it!

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  20. Your photos are amazing AND so is that biscotti. I always enjoy reading what you are up to.

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  21. Amazing, delightful! Absolutely fantastic!

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  22. Great looking Biscotti! And it looks even better with your new lens:) Sigh, Maybe one day I'll have a DSLR. Until then, I will drool over your pics!

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  23. You certainly know how to use your camera! What gorgeous shots. The biscotti sounds so good with those pistachios.

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  24. What gorgeous photos! I love biscotti and I love pistachios. :)

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  25. I'm not usually a fan of biscotti but I love pistachios! And if these aren't too sweet they may be really good. And your pictures are gorgeous!

    We have a Canon Rebel xTi and I want a good lens for it! I also need some great lights so I can make my pictures better. Thanks for linking the lens. Any light suggestions? Your photos are always so nice.

    Thanks for sharing this recipe. Anything that pairs well with red wine gets a thumbs up in my book!

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  26. Should I talk about your food or photo today? LOL. I mean both look so great! First, let's go over food... I love pistachio in your biscotti! It's so unique and I can't get those in stores.. I love it! And macro lens... I have one too but....I can't take pictures like you! Surely it's not about the lens, it requires SKILLS!

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  27. I just found your sight after reading your Cruise Critic review of your FP cruise. I admit you had me at the first picture. I too am an amatuer photographer and admitted foodie. I loved seeing your macro shots here, it is my passion! We are also local San Diegans and share your travel bug too. Reading your blog I felt we have spent the last year walking in each other's shoes.

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  28. Thank you so much for the lovely comment! You made my day. I am still missing the PG and we think of our trip to FP often... I felt quite an affinity to the area. We are just back from a Med Cruise and living the post vacation memories!
    Nice to know you!!

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