Six Reasons to Bake Homemade Biscotti for Holiday Gifts

Long before I hear the first Christmas music, long before the shop put up decorations, long before holiday ads appear in the newspaper, I am in biscotti mode. I am already reasoning about the gift biscotti I will make. There are dozens of recipes in my files and they are so good it is hard to conclude which flavors to make.

Cranberry biscotti with walnuts or almonds is an old favorite. The method was on a box of dried cranberries I bought years ago. Since then, the method seems to have disappeared and I am glad I still have it. Orange biscotti with mini chocolate chips is someone else family favorite. I adapted a basic biscotti method and, to bring out the orange flavor, added orange zest and extract.

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Baking biscotti is fun and if you have never made it, I hope you will try at least once. Make some for yourself and some to give away. Why is biscotti a thoughtful gift?

First, you have hundreds of recipes to pick from. This means you can customize the biscotti. Let's say Aunt Edith loves chocolate. You can make chocolate biscotti with chocolate chips for her. Uncle Fred may love almond and you can make almond biscotti for him.

Second, you can make this Italian "cookie" ahead of time. Biscotti keeps for weeks, so if you want to stir up a batch weeks before Christmas, go ahead and do it. Keep in mind, though, that the flavor may fade a bit. I add an extra half teaspoon of excerpt to ensure good flavor.

Third, you can vary the size. Market biscotti tends to be five to six inches long. Homemade biscotti can be long or you can make mini biscotti that fit on a saucer. The size you make also depends on the storage container.

Fourth, you can make biscotti festive with colored sugar, multi-colored sprinkles, white chocolate drizzle, chocolate frosting, chocolate "shot," or large sugar crystals. Sprinkles are easiest, but I prefer to frost my biscotti. Make sure the frosting has set wholly before you box the cookies. To speed setting, I put the baked and frosted biscotti in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

Fifth, you can find beautiful packaging for your beautiful gift. I've purchased decorative jars at the grocery store, practical jars with wide-mouth lids at allowance stores, and plastic packaging are kitchen contribute stores. Stuff wax paper colse to the cookies if you are mailing them. Comprise the method if you wish.

Sixth, a homemade gift says "I'm reasoning about you." The recipient can feel the love and care you put into your baking. Market biscotti is good, but homemade is better.

This year, instead of buying gift containers, I'm re-using tins from Italy that used to Comprise almond cookies. The tall red tins are festive and the family members who receive the biscotti may use the tins to store crackers, cookies, cookies, and pasta. Stumped on holiday gifts? Bake some biscotti for those you love and care about. Every sweet bite will remind them of you.

Copyright 2011 by Harriet Hodgson

Six Reasons to Bake Homemade Biscotti for Holiday Gifts

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10 Reasons to Visit Morocco - A Holiday and a Lifestyle!

This exotic North African country can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you want it to be. Here is how to get the best out of the country's luxury resort hotels, exotic souks, mountain treks and desert safaris, with 10 tips and reasons to visit Morocco to help start your holiday planning and additional research.

Beaches:

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Take your pick from a wide option of beaches on Morocco's Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Opt for beloved resorts such as Agadir or quiet spots such as Asilah and Oualidia.

Cities:

Morocco's imperial cities dazzle with old palaces, medinas and bustling markets. Top options comprise Marrakech, Fes and Rabat.

Riads:

Get a taste of typical Moroccan hospitality with a stay at a riad, which is ordinarily a palace or grand courtyard home that has been turned into a luxury boutique hotel or bed and breakfast.

Desert:

Head into the Sahara on a camel trek or four-wheel drive excursion. Book a day trip or stay in a Bedouin tent.

Mountains:

No matter where you select to stay in Morocco, the mountains beckon. The Atlas range runs through the middle of the country, while the Rif Mountains sweep down to the north coast.

Food:

Mouth-watering Moroccan cuisine will have you request for more. Try tajine, a subtly-flavoured stew using lamb, chicken or fish. Couscous dishes are also popular. Wash them down with wine, beer or refreshing mint tea.

Shopping:

Get lost in the souks of Casablanca, Tangier and other towns and cities as you barter for brightly-patterned ceramics, leather goods, baskets, carpets and jewellery.

Spas:

Wind down in traditional steam baths found in towns and cities throughout the country. Luxury hotels in resorts such as Essaouira have modern spas gift a wide variety of treatments.

History:

Imperial cities such as Tetouan boast antique medinas that have hardly changed in thousands of years. Head towards the desert and you'll see spectacular kasbahs built into cliff walls.

Festivals:

Music, dance and Arab traditions such as storytelling and horse riding are at the fore of Morocco's moussems, held throughout the country and incorporating a fair and a religious celebration. Top picks comprise the rose moussem at Kelaat M'Gouna near Ouarzazate and the date festival at Erfoud on the edge of the desert.

A holiday in Morocco is full of excitement. either you select to stay in a sumptuous city hotel in Morocco, or sleep under the stars in a remote Berber village, there's an climate of mystique and magic, where you will take away breathtaking memories of snake charmers and camel trains to kasbahs and minarets.

10 Reasons to Visit Morocco - A Holiday and a Lifestyle!

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