It’s so funny how similar we are to our parents, be it in beliefs, values, manners, or preferences. Growing up (even now), while snacking on potato chips, I would actively seek out the chips that were folded. My brother would snack on them inconspicuously, while I would look into the bag and deliberately reach for the extra-crunchy folded chips.
Pizza preferences are similar- given a choice between a crunchy crust and a softer crust, I will always choose crunchy. The same goes for toast.
My father was the same way. Whenever I baked cookies, he would ask that I bake them longer so that they would be extra crunchy. Growing up, I never realized that I shared the same affinity for all things crunchy that he had; but now that I look back, I’ve realized that I too was his partner in the crunchy camp. It’s not like my parents purposefully fed me crunchy things, so that I would grow to prefer them; it’s just one of those things that happened naturally.
I see similar shared traits between my son and husband too- they both love snacking on popcorn and nuts (especially pistachios and pine nuts). Don’t even get me started on chocolate. Although we feed our son a vast variety of foods, I see him enjoying certain things that his father enjoys.
That’s where these Biscotti come in. I wanted to bake something to keep on hand to snack on, and when I stumbled upon them in my ATK Family Cookbook, I just knew that they would be something I would enjoy. The day after I made them, I remembered that my father too was someone who enjoyed biscotti. A few weeks before he passed, he specifically asked that I pick up a package of them for him to enjoy with his tea. He loved to eat them as is, enjoying the crunch along the way.
Oh my Papa, may Allah bless you with the gardens of Heaven, and may you be blessed with all of those things that you enjoyed and savored!
Biscotti
Yield: 2 to 3 Dozen Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup desired add-in (chocolate chips, toasted chopped nuts, etc.)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F and set aside a parchment lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla, until completely incorporated. Reduce speed to low and slowly add in flour mixture. Add desired add-in, and mix until combined.
Divide dough in half, and using floured hands, shape each portion into a 2-inch by 13-inch log. Transfer to baking sheet, placed at least 3 inches apart. Bake 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking, until the loaves are golden and begin to form cracks on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Reduce oven heat to 325°F.
Transfer the loaves to a cutting board, and cut diagonally into ½-inch to 1-inch slices. Lay the slices cut-side up on the baking sheet, leaving a bit of room between each piece. Bake 15 minutes, flipping halfway through baking, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
Ameen and what a beautifully written post It’s really a wonderful thing, food that connects us with our emotions!
Thank you sister 🙂
It’s so crazy how little things can connect us to bigger things.
As salami alaikum I have been looking to make biscotti recently and this looks just delicious! And I agree with Umm Hamza that this is such a lovely written post, I have really been enjoying reading your posts and seeing your growth as a cook- it gives me lots of hope!
Wsalam Abida!
First off, thank you for stopping by! I love meeting and getting to know new bloggers 🙂
Secondly, thank you for your comment. It truly is one of the most touching responses I’ve ever gotten as a blogger 🙂
Ameen!
You are so right, it’s funny how we develop tendencies and taste. My father too, loves salty and crunchy savouries, like chips, and churwa! I find that my children also find those appealing, and so when they’re at Nana’s house, they’re raiding his pantry. He also loves biscotti, and that maybe from his time in Italy though.
I too love biscotti, and make them often for my hubby and the kids, they don’t last long.
Yours look delicious! I have a cranberry, almond and white chocolate one on my site…I think you’ll like them 🙂
I’m sure your father loves the sight of his grandkids invading his pantry 🙂 My father used to love seeing Zunoon go through his cabinets and drawers. Once, when Zunoon was maybe 1.5, he caught him going through one of my mom’s drawers and he stood to the side and was just chuckling and watching 🙂 One of my fondest memories of him 🙂
Ameen, for him and all those who already left this world. Your words touch my heart.. you know I still cannot believe !!!
My dad loved biscotti too with a cup of black tea.. I’m sure he would’ve liked yours … May all of them be fed right now from heaven’s food.
Ameen!
Ma shaa Allah sister, Ameen <3
Thank you sister <3
The process of imbibing a part of our parents persona is so subtle that its only when we grow up that we are able to identify the similarities. The biscottis looks perfectly done 🙂
You’re so right! It happens so slowly that we don’t realize until we’re adults 🙂
It is amazing how we pick up our parents habits and likings so naturally that we don’t even realize it. May Allah grant your father Janaat-ul-Firdous. Ameen.
Ameen <3
I don’t know how I missed this but I was so moved by the write up and I think you probably already know that that photo rocks!
Thank you <3