Sunday's Reason (Recipe Included)

     On most Sundays you'll find me at church.  However, every once in awhile I need to bow out, and take some time to be at home, by myself.  A little time to be thankful for everything, including moments of solitude.  During the week, I have time when I am by myself, but Sundays are different.  Throughout the week, there are usually errands to do during the time my husband is at work and the girls are at school.  There is seldom a week that goes by when there is not someone's doctor's appointment, sport practice, special function, or playdate happening; sometimes all of the above.  So, I guess Sundays seem to be the time when I can take time for myself.

Time to reflect.

Time to think.

Time to dream.

Time to plan.

Time when, I am not thinking, "Okay, what was I planning on doing next?" or "Will I ever be answered the first time I ask a question?"

     I don't need much time, and usually during these Sundays I like to try a new recipe.  It's amazing how fast you make something when you don't have help.

    From the time when I was a little girl and Mom made chocolate chip cookies, I have always enjoyed them dunked in coffee.  Mom made them hard and crunchy; even slightly burnt.  Nevertheless, they were always heavenly.  I have tried, to do the same with the Toll House Cookie recipe, but never get them as crunchy as Mom did.  So, I set off to find a chocolate chip biscotti recipe.  Those wonderful Italian cookies, that are made expressly to dunk in espresso, or coffee.
      I found several recipes, but as usual tweaked them a bit to what I thought would be best.  I encourage all to do the same, although I am quite happy with how these turned out.  I am not adding this to my "Recipe" page yet, as I am still trying to figure out a dropdown menu for it. So here it is:

Chocolate Chip Biscotti 
 2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour                                                  Preheat oven to 350F
 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon of salt
 1/2 cup sugar
 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
 1/4 cup (half a stick) of cold unsalted butter
 2 eggs
 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips

Mix all dry (first 5) ingredients; then add butter, eggs, mix; add in chocolate chips.  Divide into 2-4 logs (depending on size of cookie sheet available).  Make sure you allow 2-3 inches between logs as they will spread a bit while baking.  Flatten each log so they look like an oblong rectangle of sorts- 1- 1/2 inches wide.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven, and slice logs on the diagonal 1/2 inch thick.  Return to pan, baking slices on their sides, for 10 additional minutes.  Remove from oven, and allow to cool on wire rack, as pictured below.  They will harden as they cool.  Store in airtight container.  Enjoy!

     If you are the type to give food for gifts during the holidays, I have a notion the recipients of these would be very thankful!

Enjoy your Sunday!