In the heart of Italy, where culinary traditions run deep, lies a delightful treat that encapsulates the essence of the region's rich heritage: Biscotti di Pepe, also known as Italian Pepper Biscuits. These delectable cookies, hailing from the Abruzzo region, are a symphony of flavors, blending the warmth of freshly ground black pepper with the sweetness of honey and the nutty undertones of almonds, walnuts, and pine nuts. Embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets behind this beloved delicacy, exploring variations such as Taralli al Pepe, a crunchy ring-shaped delight, and Bocconotti al Pepe, a sweet-filled pastry that will tantalize your taste buds.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
TARALLI PUGLIESI - ITALIAN BLACK PEPPER COOKIES
Taralli are wonderful baked wheat flour rings that are a classic snack in Italy. Taralli are savory bites that are crispy on the outside and have flaky inside. The taste is a wonderful combination of floral olive oil and spicy black pepper with every nibble.
Provided by Angela
Categories Appetizer Side Dish Snack
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Create a well in the middle to add the wet ingredients.
- Slowly pour the water and oil into the well of the flour. Blend together and gradually incorporate into the flour using your hands. The dough will be dense.
- Dust a working surface or cutting board with flour, To the stiff dough, knead for about 3 minutes to develop the gluten.
- Preheat oven to 400º.
- Pull off small pieces of dough about 1 Tablespoon in size. Next, roll into ropes about 6 inches long and very narrow. Form a ring and then pinch the edges together.
- Place them on a prepared baking sheet, nonstick or with cooking spray. Leave space between each tarallo, they do not expand very much but will a little bit.You can get a dozen on each baking sheet. You can bake one at a time or both at once - just be sure to rotate the pans halfway through and keep them as close to the center of the oven as you can.
- Brush with oil and bake 20 minutes in the middle of your oven. The bottoms will be lightly browned.
- Remove carefully from the baking sheet and let cool on a baking rack.
- Enjoy immediately as a snack, appetizer, or small bite. Serve with wine or other small bites like cheese, fruit, or salumi. Great to serve on a charcuterie board or in a breadbasket.
CACIO E PEPE TARALLI (SAVORY ITALIAN PRETZELS)
Often served with (and dipped in!) white wine, taralli are a fun and versatile Italian snack you can flavor all sorts of ways. This pepper and cheese variety starts with a simple unleavened dough starring white wine and olive oil. Rolled into ropes, then into rings, they're boiled and sprinkled with cheese before baking. Once baked, the cheese forms a crispy wafer in the middle of the ring!
Provided by Chef John
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Snacks Cracker Recipes
Time 2h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine flour, pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl, and stir with a spoon to combine. Pour in wine and olive oil. Mix until dough starts to come together. Knead by hand until dough is smooth and slightly elastic, about 3 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Unwrap dough and cut into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out with your palms into ropes about 10 to 12 inches long. Cut each rope into 3 pieces; roll each piece to a length of 5 or 6 inches. Twist the ends a few times and press them together to form a ring, twisting as needed to fully seal the ends.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat (such as SILPAT®).
- Bring a pan of water (at least 3 inches) to a boil. Drop in 4 rings of dough at a time. Boil until rings float to the top, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a towel-lined plate. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over each ring; flip and grate more cheese on the other side. Flip back to the first side and apply one last grating of cheese, or until rings are thoroughly coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden and crunchy, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the baking sheet onto a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 77.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Cholesterol 2.9 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 211.6 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the biscotti will be.
- Make sure the butter is cold and the eggs are at room temperature.
- Do not overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the biscotti tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the biscotti hold their shape.
- Bake the biscotti until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Let the biscotti cool completely before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Biscotti di Pepe, also known as Italian Pepper Biscuits, are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and spices, these cookies are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are looking for a sweet treat to serve at your next party or a simple snack to enjoy with your family, Biscotti di Pepe are sure to please.
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