Orange Black Sesame Biscotti

It's finally about to be fall again, which makes me giddily happy.

And this particular fall, we get to move into our first real home, which makes it even better!

But mostly, I think I'm done with summer.

I used to love summers in India because of my birthday being in the middle of July and the monsoon (few things are better than summer rain), but in the US it just means most people are out of town and it's grossly hot. Oh, and the bugs. I say this as both legs burn fiercely from about eight mosquito bites I acquired from a warm summer night last week.

Not only did Joe and I have many terrifying encounters with cicadas on our trip to India, but I was recently smacked in the eye by one when walking Mila late at night (it's funny now, le sigh). On top of all that, there was a mutant bug in my car that my friend Cate saw and screamed until I pulled over and it somehow flew out. Thankfully, I never saw it, because I probably would have crashed my car...although my imagination is likely worse (she says it looked like a mutant mosquito with a red body?!). 

Anyway, I couldn't be more thrilled for this turn of weather, and thankful that we get to experience all the seasons. It's time for all the things to help keep us warm and here's something you can dip in that mug of hot brew this fall.

A while back, an old high school friend paid me a visit and shared her love of baking biscotti in different flavors and varieties, something I’ve never attempted before. She inspired me to try my hand at them, so I decided to make something that would go well with my favorite tea, lavender earl grey.

These biscotti are citrusy and light. They’re crunchy until you dip them into your hot drink, then practically melt in your mouth. The black sesame seeds add an extra dimension of texture, and the cardamom is a welcome spice to balance out the citrus. They aren’t too sweet, and you will certainly want more than one.

Orange Black-Sesame Biscotti
Adapted from a recipe from Bon Appetit

Makes about a dozen

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup almond flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/3 tsp. kosher salt
¾ cup sugar
10 Tbsp. (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
Zest of 1 orange
2 tsp. cardamom
¼ cup black sesame seeds
1 large egg white

Position the rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, almond flour, baking powder and kosher salt into medium bowl. Set aside.
In another large bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir together the sugar, melted butter, the eggs, orange zest and ground cardamom. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until well blended. Stir in the black sesame seeds.
Using floured hands, divide the dough in half and shape each half into a 13½-by-2½-inch loaf. Transfer both loaves to the prepared baking sheet with space between to allow them to spread.
Whisk the egg white in small bowl until foamy. Brush it over the top and sides of each loaf. Bake 30 minutes until golden brown.
Remove the loaves but keep the oven on. Cool the loaves on a rack about 5 minutes, then move them to a cutting board.
Using serrated knife, slice the loaves on a diagonal into ½-inch wide slices.

Arrange the slices cut-side down on the baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes, then flip and bake another 8 minutes. Transfer to the rack and cool.

Biscotti will keep up to 1 week  in an airtight container at room temperature.