BISCOTTI TO DIE FOR

Those who know me and follow my writing may be surprised by this divergence, but I'm not always screaming about the idiots who are currently running this country or wallowing in my past life through my memoir. Sometimes I just like to cook and/or throw parties, or enjoy life's small treasures.

After a party, not to long ago, when the last guest walked out the door, I discovered someone had brought a bottle of wine and a bag of biscotti, two things I happen to really like, so it must of been someone who knows me rather well. RG and I opened the wine and drank it post haste, but the biscotti stayed on the shelf. It was so charmingly packaged, I mean the commercial packaging - not that my friend had wrapped it - it was like a gift. It was a simple brown bag but it had an image on the front that looked like an Italian renaissance, or Empire period painting. It was of a jaunty young woman, holding a china cup with what appeared to be a biscotti, held in her right hand, poised, about to enter her mouth. The top of the bag was folded over, held with a gold seal and pale green, high quality ribbon. The gold seal was inscribed "original almond". It was simple but beguiling.

I'm a label reader and on the back of the bag it said: " Comanzo's Biscotti is a small, family run business". So far so good. I like small, family run businesses. "We use our grandmother's recipe that has been a family favorite for over 100 years." Wow! Now that's a family with staying power! "We carefully make all our batters in small batches to ensure the finest results possible. Our cookies are made and cut by hand; therefore, no two will be alike." Well at this point I hadn't even opened the bag, so I couldn't confirm this. However, a few days later, I was having my breakfast coffee. I don't eat breakfast, but sometimes, a biscotti with that black, French roast coffee I favor, seems just right. I took the bag from the cupboard and opened it. The cookies were carefully wrapped in batches of 4, surrounded by a stiff cardboard, so as not to have them break. I felt these were something precious. I took the first biscotti, dipped it in my coffee, and popped it in my mouth. The taste and texture were PERFECT! They matched the further description on the bag which I will now revert to:
"Comanzo biscottis are a subtle blend of almonds, anise seed and a hint of citrus zest, which make our cookies truly delightful." I'll say! "They are twice baked to ensure the crispy crunchy texture of these traditional Italian cookies. Good at any time of day, they make a perfect companion to your favorite coffee, espresso, cappuccino or dessert wine." They were yummy and while I started eating them at breakfast, I finished off another few with tea at work.

Since I buy organic as often as possible, and I never buy baked goods marked "Pillsbury" I read the ingredients: "to ensure exceptional quality we use only the freshest ingredients available - NO PRESERVATIVES - NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING. We believe that real ingredients make a real difference. Please see if you agree (I did) the proof is in the tasting! (It was.) We hope you enjoy eating them as much as we have enjoyed baking them for you."  It was signed Mary, Cathy and Licette. I felt like I had just met and bonded with 3 entrepreneurial women like myself.

Below their names was a warning: "Dunkers Beware - they are addictive!"

Little did I realize at the time how true this would be. That first gift bag of Comanzo's Biscotti, original almond, disappeared in no time. I told RG how much I loved them and to my excitement he found that they carried them at our neighborhood Whole Foods Market. Not only that, but they had a whole slew of varieties. For starters he brought home a bag of Blueberry Lemon Walnut and Cranberry Orange. The ingredients for the blueberry ones read as follows: Unbleached wheat flour, pure cane sugar, whole eggs, butter, dried blueberries, walnuts, canola oil, non-aluminum baking powder, natural flavors and lemon zest. After the first bite I was hooked. I started saving the pretty ribbons that topped each bag, their different colors denoted the flavors inside; orange for Organic Whole Wheat Pumpkin, cocoa brown for Chocolate dipped Original, navy blue for Blueberry Lemon Walnut and so on...each flavor became a new favorite.

Finally my ribbons began to overflow my cupboard shelf. I decided to write a letter to the Comanzo girls, send them my collection of ribbons, profess my love for their product, and let them know how much I admired women who dedicate themselves to making something really fine. I have never done anything like this before in my life.

After sending the letter, I launched in to collecting yet another batch of ribbons. I love all the flavors, so whatever RG brings home from Whole Foods, I'm happy.

Today, when I got home from work, there was a big box waiting for me in the living room. RG though it was something I'd ordered for my granddaughters. I was perplexed. I wasn't expecting anything. I read the UPS label and it was indeed addressed to me. It was from the Comanzo Bakery. I was excited. Inside were not only bags of my favorite biscotti, but an actual hand written note from Licette, thanking me for telling them how much I appreciated their fine biscotti . Wow! this was like Christmas. It gave me faith that good food is still possible to find. Small companies, making high quality products must be supported.

So, I encourage all you biscotti lovers out there, get yourself a bag of Comanzo's Biscotti. But BEWARE - they are addictive!.