Some times you need something a little civilised. A little treat, a little daintiness perhaps…
This particular day something civilised was making some biscotti and having some dessert wine to dunk them in. Dunking…not so civilised. Dessert wine…very civilised!
Dessert wine is always sweet. I believe its supposed to be served sweeter than whatever your dessert is. You sip it in a civilised fashion, not guzzle…(note to self.)
To be enjoyed in restrained amounts- dunk a few biscotti in there however and I say drink what ever amount needs to be drunk.
The Monkeys helped me out with the cooking of the biscotti. Little Monkey had woken from a nap clingy and grizzly. Not wanting to leave my arms, it was raining heavily outside so that didn’t leave too many options of what to do with the boys. So with an eager Monkey Boy wanting to help and Little Monkey clinging to my hip like someone had super glued him on- cooking biscotti was locked in for the afternoon.
Now this was the that part wasn’t so civilised. With little thumbs stuck in egg shells, more than ample amounts of cardamom being flung in and flour being strewn on the floor- they were done. So easy, they can be done with one adult hand, two Monkey Boys hands, and two flaying Little Monkey hands while still clinging on to a hip.
Best eaten dunked into a little dessert wine or coffee after dinner, when its quiet and…civilised.
Orange and Cardamom Biscotti
3/4 cup raw sugar
2 eggs
2 tps grated orange rind
Beat together, and then add
1 1/3 cups of plain flour
2/3 cup of almond meal
1 tps ground cardamom (or what ever is left in the bottle!)
Mix it altogether to form a dough, and roll out to form a long log. Cook at 180 C for about 35 mins. Cut log on the diagonal and bake at 150C until dry and crisp- turning once in between.
(adapted from a Women’s Weekly Cookbook)
Gift idea– bag full of biscotti and a lovely bottle of dessert wine.
*The dessert wine we had was a Southern Highlands Wine. Located within my locavore area, it’s a stunning winery that has tastings and a gorgeous barrel room that can be hired out for functions- (…as it so happens we had our wedding reception there.)
Very civilised…
cityhippyfarmgirl 
And what do the monkeys dip their biscotti in? Or are they for adults only…? Biscotti are on my list, my ever growing list of things to make. I do like them and I love cardamon ! Thanks for this recipe!
I think we have a small bottle of a french dessert wine somewhere waiting for something… maybe this is it!
LikeLike
I think adults only, for us anyway. They couldn’t get their teeth through it, and Monkey Boy looked at my like I was crazy when I suggested warm milk to dunk it in- strictly cold!
I am trying to clear out our alcohol cupboard at the moment and starting afresh, so everything is getting used up in some way or another- expect a few boozy posts 🙂
A little french dessert wine sounds perfect Joanna.
LikeLike
this sounds wonderful – i only recently discovered cardamom and i want to put it in everything! these are clearly the next biscotti on the list, thanks!
i’m a complete filistine when it comes to wine, but i think i may have a bit of xeres leftover. if not, i suspect a warm chocolate will do 😀
LikeLike
Yep, warm chocolate would go just perfectly Dana…and if you are feeling daring add some cardamom and cinnamon to your drink. Cardamom finds itself in a lot of things I make too.
LikeLike
Very elegant and civilized indeed, and I love Dana’s idea of dipping them in hot chocolate…
I have a confession to make. Once, in my wild and younger days, I sucked vintage Portuguese port through a dark chocolate Tim Tam. It was astonishingly delicious. The next day, I had a hangover that made me wish I was dead. 😉
LikeLike
ahh, the old days… i remember them well. Vintage portuguese port and dark tim tams sounds like a cracker of an idea. I love showing non-australians the wonders of the dunk and suck tim tams…ahhh the old days.
LikeLike
Aww your monkeys sound so cute! 😀 And they did a great job helping you with your biscotti. Good to know that you saved some for when it was a bit more quiet and civilised 😉
LikeLike
They do like to ‘help’. I’m hoping it will start their passion of cooking just helping me out with the fun stuff.
LikeLike
Oh now that sounds superb. Got everything but the almond meal and the dessert wine. Must rectify that situation immediately!
LikeLike
Hope they turn out well for you!
LikeLike
Extremely civilised of you, I do say! This post made me smile! 🙂
I always thought one needed hot liquid for dunking…but I do believe you are onto something remarkably good here with the dessert wine….
LikeLike
I did too until I went to Italy, after a leisurely lunch while waiting for your espresso to be ready, a little dessert wine and biscotti- VERY civilised 🙂
LikeLike
MMmm- Biscotti, dessert wine and Tim Tams- if you’d only mentioned bread your post would be about ALL my favorite foods.
I love cardamom and have recently restocked my dessert wines
Tomorrow I’m making your recipe and following your example of dipping.
And bread-I’m making bread.
My supply of Tim Tams is very lean. But I’m having one with coffee in the A.M.
Carbohydrate overload here I come!.
LikeLike
ah carbs… my favourite. Enjoy the overload Heidiannie!
LikeLike
These sound delicious…and yes always a great gift idea,if there aren’t too many mice in the kitchen!!x
LikeLike
These do indeed sound most delectable. I’ve never dunked into wine before – sweet or otherwise, but I know that’s what you are meant to do with biscotti. Under your recommendation, I will try it next time I make biscotti. Well done for producing such fare with the Monkeys in tow.
LikeLike
Pingback: RECIPES « Cityhippyfarmgirl's Blog