Cracked Pepper and Romano Biscotti

The holiday season is right around the corner! It is always around this time of year when I start thinking to myself, wouldn’t it be nice to have a holiday party. I have it all planned perfectly in my head.  A fire burning in the fireplace, the smell of pine from the Christmas tree, a silver punch bowl filled with eggnog, carols playing in the back ground and a room full of friends munching on Hors d’œuvres. It never works out. In the blink of an eye the season is over and we are celebrating Valentine’s Day.
I started thinking about party foods that would be easy to have on hand for an impromptu holiday gathering or a gift for someone you would like to recognize during the holidays, like the mailman or a teacher. There is nothing like giving something homemade.

Cracked Pepper and Romano Biscotti are perfect to have on hand to pull out with some delicious cheese and a bottle of wine and wonderful to give as a gift. They are also incredibly fast and easy to make.

1 1/2 Tablespoons Mixed Peppercorns, smashed
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 cups grated Pecorino Romano
1 1/2 sticks cold butter cut in cubes
4 eggs
1 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl combined flour, baking powder, salt, romano, peppercorns and butter. Using your fingers cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal.
Add eggs and milk and mix with your hands until just combined.

Using a little extra flour roll half the dough into a 12 inch log and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten the roll with the palm until it is 1/2 inch thick.