CHRISTMAS BISCOTTI

Almond bread with a festive twist of pistachios and freeze-dried berries. A great gift idea or treat to have on hand

Ingredients
  • 4 egg whites (approx. 120g)
  • ¾ cup caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cup plain flour, sifted
  • ¾ cup whole raw almonds
  • 30 grams freeze dried strawberries or raspberries, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup pistachios
Instructions
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites over a medium speed for 3 minutes, or until soft peaks form. While still beating, gradually add the caster sugar, a tablespoonful at a time. Once all the sugar has been added, add the vanilla and beat until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Prepare the barbecue for indirect cooking over medium-low heat (170°C to 190°C). If using a Weber Q barbecue, set up your barbecue with a convection tray and a trivet.
  • Line a small weber frying pan or 26cm x 18cm barbecue-safe baking tin with baking paper. Fold the sifted flour through the egg whites, then fold through the almonds, freeze dried berries and pistachios. Pour mixture into the lined pan.
  • Bake the bread over indirect medium-low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lightly golden on top and the mixture has started to firm up.
  • Once baked, remove from the barbecue and set aside to cool. Turn the barbecue off.
  • Once cooled, remove the bread from the pan, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight to firm up.
  • Remove from the refrigerator and slice into 5mm thick slices with a serrated bread knife. Lay the slices onto lined baking trays.
  • Prepare the barbecue for indirect cooking over medium-low heat (170°C to 190°C). If using a Weber Q barbecue, set up your barbecue with a convection tray and a trivet.
  • Bake each tray for 12 minutes over indirect medium-low heat or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the barbecue and leave to cool before serving. Store in an air-tight container.