Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Ribbon Candy' Garland + Cookie Recipe

My daughter, L, working hard.
 


The garland progresses.
 


It's nearly there.
 


The finished garland, wrapped on cardboard to keep it from tangling.
 


My daughter, L, had a terrific idea the other day...

...for using up some of the trimmed-off bits from my pillow covers.

She threaded the thin felt strips using a heavy-duty needle and upholstery thread...

...then tied knots before and after each color, leaving areas of bare thread in between.

I think it's a rather magical Christmas tree garland...

...and I'm really glad she thought of it!
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In case you're in need of an easy, last-minute cookie recipe...

...here's one of my favorites from a long-ago Gourmet magazine.

Orange Almond Biscotti

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon orange zest; freshly grated
1 and 1/2 cup whole almonds; toasted lightly & chopped coarsely

----EGG WASH----
1 large egg; beaten with 1 teaspoon water

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the flour, the sugar, the baking soda and the salt until the mixture is combined well.

In a small bowl whisk together the whole eggs, the yolk, the vanilla and the zest, and add this mixture to the flour mixture, beating until a dough is formed.
Stir in the almonds.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead it several times and halve it.
Working on a large buttered and floured baking sheet, with floured hands form each piece of dough into a flattish log 12 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Arrange the logs at least 3 inches apart on the sheet and brush them with the egg wash.
Bake the logs in the middle of a preheated 300 F oven for 50 minutes and then cool them on a baking rack for 10 minutes.

On a cutting board, cut the logs crosswise on the diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices.

Arrange the biscotti, cut sides down, on the baking sheet and bake them in the 300 F oven for 15 minutes more on each side.

Transfer the biscotti to racks to cool and store them in airtight containers.

For a festive touch, drizzle them with melted dark chocolate.

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5 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh...My.....Goodness!! That is a genius idea!!! Now I am mourning all my little strips that I threw out....I Guess I will now have a project for next year! Have a faulous Christmas!

vilterietje said...

great idea, the ribbon! it's a beautifull way to declutter and make something beautifull!
the biscotti's i bake reguarly, they are heavenly!
love, riet:)

Patty Biermans said...

I'm going to try this recipe for sure!! Reading about it makes me want to eat some. And I like the garland very much. Is it for your own christmas tree? I like to see the picture with the garland in it. Hugzzz...Peebee

Fi said...

Great idea for a garland. And I may come back and try the recipe once Christmas day is over. Happy Christmas.

Heather Woollove said...

Yes, Kelly--Throw nothing out! The bits and bobs can always be turned into something else. Felt is the perfect re-purposing art form!! :)

Thanks, Riet, Peebee and Fiona-
yes, the biscotti are delicious, and I often make them with pine nuts or orange extract instead... Yum.