Saturday, February 23, 2013

Orange~Pistachio Biscotti

I'm Irish...and this Italian twice-baked cookie got a spring-green look with the help of pistachios and pistachio paste...
and a little orange to honor the Republic of Ireland Flag!
photo borrowed from internet 
I realized St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I will be making soda bread and colcannon, but sometimes it's nice to add something new.  Biscotti is a great choice. This long-lasting cookie has grown in popularity among coffee drinkers here in the United States and has even surpassed their original use of dipping into a glass of wine.

Orange~Pistachio Biscotti
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
Zest of one orange
2 T. Pistachio Paste 
You will need to stir the paste when you first open it! 
1 3/4 cups + 2T King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar and pistachio paste together.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Add the dry ingredients and beat just until combine--don't over mix!

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board.
Bring dough together and divide in half.  Roll out to about 12-14" long x 1 1/2" wide.
Bake in preheat oven about 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and allow to cool about 10 minutes.  Transfer "log" to a cutting board and with a serrated knife, cut slices on an angle, about 1" thick.

Place sliced cookies back on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 13 to 15 minutes.  Removed from the oven and allow to cool once more before storing.
I had a perfectly wonderful day at The Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle and even more perfect to come home, have a cup of tea, and a biscotti.  
What traditions for St. Patrick's Day do you have? Enjoy! 

20 comments:

  1. I have never seen or used pistachio paste before...these twice baked biscotti are truly a beauty, Susan.

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  2. Morning Susan, I've never heard of pistachio paste either but doesn't say much because I'm not a big baker. It would be nice if we could sit have a cup of tea and a biscotti together in your garden.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  3. We had pistachio encrusted tofu last night...must be something in the air!
    Jane x

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  4. I love biscotti. It is hard to find here in this area of South Dakota so I make my own. This will be added to my recipe box. Yum.

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  5. Susan, I just love biscotti! This is a new and welcome version! Looks delicious and the bow to the Irish is cute!

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  6. Love biscotti and these would be so nice, right about now, with my second cup of coffee. I think these should always be in the cupboard. I love the orange/pistachio combo (of course). :) I wondered how to us that paste. Now I know! Glad you enjoyed your trip to Seattle...Such a beautiful shot from the show. Lv, me

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  7. Hi Susan...as much as I love biscotti, I have never made any. Maybe I should give it a try! Enjoy your Sunday, my sweet friend.

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  8. I love pistachio ice cream so I would give these a try for sure! I love cabbage as my St Pat's day tradition!
    hugs, Linda

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  9. What an original idea. It looks wonderful!

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  10. Oh, oh, oh... I love pistachios and I love biscotti... This seems like a perfect marriage... I'm getting ingredients tomorrow. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  11. I love to dip biscotti in hot tea as I do not like coffee. I have never made them but it looks simple enough. Our only St Patrick's day traditions involve hanging our shamrock flag and wearing green. Maybe this year I will be making your pistachio biscotti recipe. xoxo ♥
    Martha Ellen




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  12. Mmmmmmm. Those sound fabulous, Susan. You are just an incredible baker.

    I want to thank you so much, for your visits and sweet comments and compliments on my blog. I appreciate them so much.

    Looking forward to posts on the garden!

    I'm not Irish at all, Susan, and don't do too much for St. Pat's day except eat corned beef and cabbage! ha ha Susan

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  13. I love biscotti, these sound good! I used to have corned beef for dinner on St. Patty's Day but no one else in my house likes it now. So, it's leek soup for dinner. :)

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  14. Mmmmmm!!!! Yes please!!! I have never seen pistachio paste here.

    I love biscotti. THere's an Italian café in Ottawa that I like that has an amazing biscotti selection.

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  15. i love tea and biscotti, yours look absolutly delicious susan. i've never had a st.patricks day tradition, but i would like these biscotti to be part of one now. :)

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  16. Oh a flower show! I love attending them.

    Always something new to see here! I don't know how you do it all!

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  17. What a great flavor combination! The flower photo has me so ready for spring! I always make sure my husband has his beloved corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick;s day:)

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  18. I am going to have to give up on reading your blog, I simply want to make everything you post...I sit here with my mouth watering every time I come here...Everything you post looks looks wonderful...

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  19. Pistachio paste? Hmmm..... need to find some of that so that I can make these. They would be such a good gift!!

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  20. Well, better late to the party than never! I have been looking for a worthy recipe for some pistachio paste I received as a gift. This is perfect. Making today. Thanks so much for this recipe!

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