Cantucci

When my husband and I were in Tuscany taking cooking classes, we made these cantucci or biscotti.  Biscotti means twice-baked in Italian.  Since they are very dry, biscotti traditionally are served with a drink, into which they may be dunked.

In Italy, they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called Vin Santo.
Outside of Italy, they more frequently accompany coffee, including cappucinos and lattes.
No matter what liquid you dunk them into, they are delicious!
With the holiday season upon us, these make excellent gifts!
Here is the recipe...

ALMOND CANTUCCI

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
zest from 1 orange or lemon
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup almonds, whole, raw, and unpeeled
Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the center and add the zest and eggs. &nbs...

Fall Iron-on Applique

Last week we embroidered our kitchen towels with our basic embroidery stitch.  

This week we are going to applique a pumpkin on the towel and then blanket stitch around the pumpkin.  Here are the supplies we will use......

Scrap fabric - seriously a piece that is 4 inches by 4 inches will be big enough

Heat 'n' Bond Lite -https://www.amazon.com/HeatnBond-Iron-Adhesive-Value-Inches/dp/B001687ZDA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=10UDZ2FS28HSP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z1_NoKIuUQUHE58V9qqRnyhF8PddTWwrdsvwAHSrYslejOnJxoLZd3skX581MU-W4lJ9mcQzA-vf31Sv2OA71TXwD6-oYeJ9wPBeSeLBdJRwQCUDx4TauaJxQHVeU3Y_IbDg7qtFIKrASYj9Vo6VuU7fwWmc4JVEdAniHXi0pKH638Yyp1DXreat-CWAM9T_1Lq2Ecbw4mTW8rKtsK7Q9g_qBp8jyzTN1-Ep80CRU26-LuOXcCshF_p3SfJDPe8DNE1E8ChZM0v7NlDhsepn-T64MAbVCvDXMgpBLnTTEOY.9Yl4I-Gpeuwhi0D0cbZhoe92Mc5lWfEbJ-6ZPSnFcyw&dib_tag=se&keywords=heat+n+bond+lite&qid=1729875267&sprefix=heat+n+b%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2

Embroidery floss

Embroidery needle from l...

Basic Embroidery Stitches

Today we are beginning a technique class which will help you learn several skills that you can use to make beautiful crafts, embellished clothing and household goods, and gifts for Christmas.
We will start today by learning the basic embroidery stitches you will need for this project.
Here are the links to the supplies we used in class to make today's craft....

Stitch Cards - for learning basic embroidery stitches
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGQHZK3P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Needles - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRJR99RV/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image?th=1

Embroidery Floss -
https://www.hobbylobby.com/yarn-needle-art/cross-stitch/floss-thread/fall-artiste-cotton-floss/p/81031721

Embroidery hoop -

https://www.amazon.com/LAMXD-Embroidery-Rectangle-Multicolor-Needles/dp/B09NNYSDQ8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3BZ6JU5U4HZFX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CgMK44WmKlgW5wP6YcAjNJ7tT3lJYkuVSF5B5_BMoMGsj5MlDEqJfLAopvkmcTQ_t_...

Basic Yeast Bread

Basic White Yeast Bread

1 2/3 cups lukewarm water
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoon butter, melted for brushing on baked loaf

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, instant yeast, honey, and salt. 
Add 4 cups flour to the bowl.  Knead at low speed until the dough comes together and is soft but not sticky.  Add a few more tablespoons flour if necessary, up to 1/2 cup.  Continue to knead for 6-9 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is soft and smooth and passes the winderpane test.
Transfer the dough to a lightly-oiled bowl and make sure that it is completely coated.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm and draft-free place for about 45 minutes or until doubled...