Baked Anice Taralli
( Taralli all’Anice )
The Taralli biscuits are made all over Italy; they are made differently in every region, in every town and even in every family, where each has his own recipe and a diverse baking technique.
In the Province of Ragusa the Viscutta Scaurati, which means boiled biscuits are boiled and dried overnight and then baked in order to give to the Taralli a particular consistency, usually crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. In Palermo, the Taralli are made with a mixture similar to bread dough, shaped round or twisted and rounded like a little crown; lard or oil is added to make the Taralli tender but flaky and crunchy on the outside.
- Yield48 Taralli
- Sicilian DessertsBaked Anice Taralli
Ingredients
- 1 lb. semolina flour
- 1 lb. flour
- 4 tablespoons of anise seeds, lightly crushed
- 1 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoon salt
- ¼ oz. Fleischmann’s dry yeast
- Extra water if needed
- Extra flour for dusting or to add
- It’s advisable to use an electric mixer to facilitate the kneading which is a laborious and necessary
Instructions
THE DOUGH
Combine yeast with water and keep on the side for a few minutes.
Mix the flours, anise seed and salt; place on a working surface and make a well. Add the water and the olive oil: mix all the ingredients and using your hands knead to bring dough together.
If dough is too dry add some water, if too soft add some flour. Dough should be little stiffer than the consistency of bread dough. Knead dough until it forms into a single mass.
Dust working surface with flour and knead dough by pushing it down firmly to the center, turn dough 90 degrees and press down again: keep kneading until dough is elastic, and has a silky consistency.
Knead for 15 minutes, usually no more than 20 minutes or until gluten develops.
Form a ball, cover with plastic and let the dough rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
THE TARALLI
Prepare pans: grease and dust with flour the cookie sheets.
Cut dough in 4 pieces and each pieces in 2 parts. Knead dough and make each part compact and shape into an elongated roll 1½ inch in diameter.
Cut it into 6 additional pieces and roll each piece to form a stick about 6 inches long.
Seal the ends together to form a circle, place into a pan, 2 inches apart.
THE BAKING
Before baking, with a cutter make some slits on the top of the Taralli.
If you use the scissors clipping all around will give the contour of a crown.
Bake at 350F for about 15 to 20 minutes, until cookies are a light golden color.