Sometimes joy can be found in the most unexpected places.
My 87-year old mother now lives in a senior community with a lot of other men and women around her age and even older. I have to admit when I first started visiting her there I was looking for ways to avoid socializing with some of her new friends because, after all, how boring would that be? Well, I’ve since had a much-needed attitude adjustment.
In the last couple months, I started visiting my mom at dinner time when she’s sitting with a table full of her BFFs. I’ve gotten to know a few of them, including Vivian from the UK who provides daily updates on Fred, her tiny fish who is sick and tinkering with death.
Then there’s Carol, a retired school teacher, who wrote the most articulate essay on why she “almost always votes democratic.” And of course I can’t forget Virginia, who enjoys a daily regimen of two ounces of vodka – one shot at 6:30 p.m., the other at 7:30 p.m. – and then heads off to bed at 8:30. She says her doctor approves of this routine because “it works.” I’m no doctor, but that makes sense to me!
This morning I got up at 4:30 a.m. to make these biscotti and lemon poppyseed muffins to share with my mom and her friends at their 8 a.m. breakfast. It warmed my heart to see how this simple gesture put big smiles on their faces and how happy they were to get these fresh-baked goodies.
It’s been quite a gift getting to know these beautiful people who have so much to say and have more dynamic personalities and zest for life than some folks half their age. It’s funny how God works in our hearts. The truth is that I’m probably getting a lot more from seeing them then they are from seeing me. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to my next trip. What shall I bring next?
Fig and Anise Biscotti
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 11/2 teaspoon ground anise seed I used whole seeds
- 1 cup dried figs finely chopped (tough stem removed)
- 1 egg white beat with a little water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (or plain baking stone)
- Add flour, baking powder, anise and salt to bowl and mix.
- With electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter til creamy. Add one egg at a time at beat until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Now add the flour mixture and beat until blended.
- Stir in chopped figs.
- Turn dough out onto floured surface. Form the dough into a 12-inch by 3-inch log. Transfer the log to the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until firm. Cool to touch and place the log on cutting board.
- With serrated knife, slice along the short edge in 1/2 inch diagonal slices.
- Return to baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes until light golden brown and then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool completely.
- Serving suggestion: Great with coffee or tea, or just on their own!
- Enjoy!
How wonderful that you are getting to know your mom’s dining partners. They sound like an interesting and lovely mix of people.
The biscotti sound and look delicious. I’m sure they were the star of the breakfast and were talked about a lot!
Thank you – they are lovely!
Your biscotti sound like a lovely treat. My mom would enjoy them. I love baking with dried fruit.
You are quite the good daughter to get up and make them at 4:30 AM!
Hi Lynn, I bet your mom would enjoy them. These aren’t that hard since they do have butter in them. Some of the other ones I make have no fat and are quite crunchy (which I also like).
Biscotti is one of my fav bite with evening tea. I have never really made it at home and this flavor combination u used sounds amazing.
You have a beautiful blog there and lovely stories.
Thank you so much! I adore biscotti, so I’m glad they aren’t too much trouble to make. You also have a beautiful blog!
Is it one fig? Or maybe one 1 cup?
Hi there – thank you for noticing that! You are correct, it’s one cup of chopped figs. I corrected that mistake in the recipe about. Thanks again!
Apparently I am “a little late to the table” but I just discovered your recipe and made them last night. They are so easy to make and taste beyond amazing!!
It was so heartwarming to read about baking for your mother’s “homies” at her seniors community.
I am taking them to the clerks who are working so incredibly hard in our school office during this third wave of the Corona Virus.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to share your sweet comment!