Dinner in “Tuscany” and Almond Biscotti!
Dinner in “Tuscany” and Almond Biscotti!
After a spring trip to Florence and a fabulous Tuscan cooking class, I was inspired to re-create this unique Tuscan theme for a recent dinner party. I just loved incorporating the rich gold and greens, reminiscent of the beautiful Italian countryside!
The yellow daisies are a super-easy and inexpensive way to create fun napkin rings (just tuck the stem into some twine) and add a LIVELY, easy feel to the table. I also used some green grapes to decorate the wine glasses by stringing them on thread and tying them around the base; again SO easy but really fun and creative… you’re guests will love it!
Lastly, put together a bright centerpiece with a few lemons, limes and fruit that you have in the fridge, it looks beautiful and really compliments all of the other fresh materials you are working with.
Almond Biscotti Recipe
Well, you can’t serve a Tuscan dinner without a delicious Italian dessert! This recipe from Rustico Cooking for Almond Biscotti is incredibly easy to make and turns out a fabulous treat. Serve with some espresso and you’re good to go!
Makes 4 Dozen Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup almonds w/ skin
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp sea salt
2 large eggs
1 ½ tsp almond extract
How to Make it:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Spread almonds on baking sheet and toast about 12 min until the aromas fill your kitchen. Cool and chop coarsely in food processor (they should be the size of peas)
- Mix almonds, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl
- Beat eggs with almond extract and add mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring with a fork until a dough forms and knead into a solid mass
- Cut dough into 3 equal pieces shaped into 1in wide logs. Place logs onto parchment lined baking sheet and bake 25-30 min.
- Remove logs to cutting board, cool 5 min and cut into ¼ in diagonal slices
- Arrange slices on baking sheet and re-bake for 5 min on each side
- Cool and Enjoy!
Crista
Crista,
As usual, a wonderful article. The colors and the food look so good.
Tuscany is my dream place to visit.
Best !
Gail
Can’t wait to make the Almond Biscotti! Looks like a really
easy recipe.
Yum! Love the color combo — yellow and green would make beautiful colors for a WEDDING!! And I love daisies.
Love using fresh fruit for a centerpiece! Beautiful table!
Thanks everyone! Had a BLAST working on this and the biscotti are so delicious, you may want to double the recipe because they go fast! :)
The pictures look great! I had the pleasure of attending this dinner party and I can definitely recommend making the biscotti. They were delicious! I loved the decor as well. The grapes around the wine glasses were so creative. Great job, Crista!
Crista, I love the greens, yellows and golds. Your table looks beautiful! ! Cheerful and bright! Can’t wait to try the biscotti !