Biscotti with Caramelized Hazelnuts
- 1 cup hazelnuts
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Nonstick spray
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 lemons, zested
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for forming the dough
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Lemon Curd, see recipe
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 lemons, zested
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cups lemon juice, strained
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into thin slices
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the hazelnuts in a single layer on a silicon pad lined baking sheet.
- Put the tray in the center of the oven and cook until a little past light brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Set aside to cool.
- Heat a large, stainless steel pan on medium heat.
- Make sure the pan is dry and clean to avoid any impurities or water affecting the caramel you are about to make.
- Add the sugar.
- Shake the pan slightly to distribute the sugar in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
- Lower the heat and keep your eye on the sugar as it melts and begins to turn brown.
- Lift the pan and swirl the sugar around from time to time as it melts.
- Do not stir with any utensils.
- Any impurities on the utensil could also disturb the sugar as it melts.
- Cooks Note: add some water if you are afraid of burning the sugar.
- Prepare a baking sheet lined a silicon mat or parchment paper.
- Spray a layer of nonstick spray on the parchment, if using.
- Set aside.
- When the hazelnuts cool slightly and the caramel is a light brown, use a clean spoon to stir the hazelnuts into the caramel.
- Spray the spoon with nonstick spray so that the sugar doesnt stick to the end of the spoon as you work.
- Stir the nuts, coating them with the sugar.
- Cooks Note: If the caramel starts to cool and become thick, heat it gently (over low heat) for a minute or two.
- That will loosen the sugar.
- Use the spoon to scoop out the hazelnuts and spread them on to the lined baking sheet.
- Spread them as best you can without creating big clumps.
- Sprinkle with a touch of salt.
- Set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond extract and the lemon zest.
- Set aside.
- In another bowl, sift together the 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
- Set aside.
- Stir the flour into the egg mixture.
- Use your hands to finish combining the wet and dry ingredients.
- Break apart and roughly chop the hazelnuts and gently work half of them into the dough.
- Reserve remaining half for snacking.
- Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Divide the dough into 2 equal parts.
- Using your hands, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured flat surface.
- Form each half of the dough into a loaf-like shape about 2 inches wide and about 12 inches long.
- They should look like 2 loaves of bread.
- Carefully arrange the 2 loaves, side by side, on the baking sheet.
- For optimum baking, leave as much space as possible between the loaves.
- Put the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake, undisturbed, for 25 to 30 minutes.
- The dough should be light brown and may rise a little as it cooks.
- Remove from the oven and put onto a flat surface to cool.
- Turn the oven off.
- Once cooled, using a serrated knife, gently saw the loaf into 1/2-inch thick slices, cut on an angle.
- Arrange the slices on the baking sheet, cut sides up, in a single layer.
- There should be a little space between each slice.
- It will almost feel like the loaves are 2 puzzles that you take apart by cutting and then put back together on the baking sheet.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven.
- Allow them to sit in the oven for 10 minutes.
- This will cause the biscotti to firm up and toast, but only ever so slightly.
- Remove from the oven and cool.
- Serve with lemon curd.
- In a large, stainless steel pot, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon zest and orange zest.
- Continue to whisk until the mixture lightens in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Whisk in the lemon juice and orange juice.
- Put the pot over low heat and cook and stir constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Take care to scrape the sides of the pot so the curd doesnt form a crust on the edges or scorch as it cooks.
- After a few minutes, start gradually whisking in the slices of butter.
- When all of the butter is integrated, remove the pot from the heat.
- Transfer the curd to another bowl to coo, then cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap.
- The plastic should be placed directly on top of the curd to prevent a skin from forming as it cools.
- Serve in a bowl alongside the biscotti for dunking or spreading on the biscotti like jam.
- Yield: about 1 to 1 1/2 cups curd
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Ease of preparation: easy
hazelnuts, sugar, nonstick spray, kosher salt, eggs, almond, lemons, flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, lemon curd, eggs, sugar, lemons, orange, lemon juice, unsalted butter
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/biscotti-with-caramelized-hazelnuts-recipe.html (may not work)