Thursday, August 20, 2009

Biscotti Regina





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...If you like a not too sweet cookie with your coffee or tea, you'll enjoy this lovely treat that's reminiscent of the sesame seed cookies you'd get in an Italian bakery. The recipe belongs to Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, who you probably remember from the first FNTV Next Food Network Star program. I happen to be a fan of theirs. Their food is "doable" but fancy enough to impress. I first tried this recipe because an over zealous shopping expedition left me with a surplus of sesame seeds and I wanted to use them before they spoiled. The recipe was quick and easy to assemble and I was so pleased with the results that I try to keep a supply of the cookies on hand for my own enjoyment. The cookies improve with age, so I like to make them a couple of days before I intend to serve them. I toast the sesame seeds used to roll the cookies in. I think it adds an additional layer of flavor. If you prefer a paler cookie don't toast them. Them store well in an airtight container. I hope you'll enjoy them too. Here's the recipe.

Biscotti Regina (Sesame Seed Cookies)...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sesame seeds

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
3) Put butter and sugar into bowl of a mixer and cream until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time while mixer is running and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and beat. Add e flour mixture and beat until well incorporated.
4) To form cookies, divide dough in half and roll into logs 1-inch in diameter. Cut logs into 3-inch lengths. Dip each piece of dough into cream and then roll in sesame seeds. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool and serve. These will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Yield : 30 cookies.

24 comments :

JLS Hall (Joysweb) said...

Sounds yummy! I'm always looking for sweets that aren't too sweet. It's been a long time since I baked cookies, but I just might try these. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Pete said...

Looks like the Chinese biscuits that I sent over to my wife's home during our wedding! LOL!

Maria Berg said...

It is almost lunch time here and I was thinking better pop in ti Mary and let me be hungry - and here i am hungry and need some food after those good cookies so I went to Kona Coast and I will get the grill out for tonight and have that in mind.

Love to read the way you are writing to, thank you my dear friend have a wonderful day,

MB

Donna-FFW said...

They do sound wonderful with tea or coffee. I dont think I make biscotti often enough!

Selba said...

Wonderful! and the sesame seeds make it healthy :)

Martha said...

I liked Steve and Dan, too. their recipes were elegant (they were caterers after all) but still easy (because they were caterers -- they couldn't "fuss" with recipes). I found and bought their cookbook at Maxx or Marshall's for a mere pittance -- LOTS of good recipes in it.

This looks good -- I may have to buy a big package of sesame seeds and try it!

NKP said...

Yum, I love sesame seeds. I always buy those sesame snaps when I see them in the store. A mild cookie or treat is my favourite kind. Perfect with tea.
ps - I keep my seeds and nuts in the freezer, along with my bran and wheat germ. They won't spoil that way.

Queen B. said...

oh my goodness, don't those look amazing !

Mary Bergfeld said...

Pete, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I loved the cake you baked with your daughter.

Jane said...

Hi Mary!
I am so excited to have this recipe!!! Regina cookies are my husband's favorite. I have tried to make them but none of the recipes I have used are quite like the one he loves. Hubby loves to eat Reginas with his mid-morning coffee. I was actually heading out today to our favorite Italian market to get some of these cookies.Now, perhaps I'll bake them instead.
Thanks so much!
Jane (Artfully Graced)

Madam Chow said...

Hey - I thought you were dieting? ;) I love sweets that aren't too sweet (unlike my husband), and this looks like a winner!

Grandmother Wren said...

Looks great -
sesame seed and honey candies are very popular at our house.
We'll have to try this cookie recipe.

theUngourmet said...

These are wonderful! I love sesame seeds in things. I've haven't had them on biscotti, what a marvelous idea!

Sandra said...

Hi Mary. Those look very yummy. I'd love to make this and enjoy with my cup of coffee..
Blessings,
Sandra

isa said...

Those look absolutely delicious - I love sesame seeds!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Isa, welcome to my blog. I hope you'll join us often. Have a wonderful day!

CC said...

Yummmmmmmm, this looks wonderful.
But then, everything you make looks wonderful. Have a lovely day..

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

This reminds me of an Italian cookie (not biscotti) that my Italian sister-in-law makes. Yummy!!

Lori said...

These look great Mary. I would so love to have one tomorrow morning with my coffee.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

This sounds yummy Mary. Thanks for swinging by to see the Black-Eyed susans. I always love when you stop by..hugs ~lynne~

Pam said...

How tasty. I've never had a biscotti like this before but I am sure I would really like it.

My Little Space said...

This is some kind of cookies bar and sounds delicious and crunchy! Hmm...mmm...

Katy ~ said...

Your biscotti are so perfectly made and the pictures are beautiful. We have a seed allergy here in this house, but me personally, oh yeah, I could eat several of these!

Jamie said...

Wow don't these look so good! Yum! We all love sesame seeds and these would really be perfect with a cup of coffee.

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