The Grandest Lady in the Land ( The history of my Biscotti)

  ....was my Grammy. ~ Helen Louise Baldini-Bragdon
       That's where my Biscotti recipe came from.
                               
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           *The Viking legend of Grammy starts like this....She came over on the Nina...Christopher Columbus is her 'il nipote' (grandson).... KIDDING!!!
     
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                            Grammy was First Generation American/Italian

                 Biscotti is the plural form of Biscotto...It means Twice Cooked/Baked. .The correct name is Biscotti di Pratto. It is also called Cantuccini. (coffee bread)

Grammy Helen

          * Interesting fact*...Twice baked breads were a staple of the Roman Legions.
Biscotti, if kept airtight, can last for centuries. It was staple for long journeys and on ships. It was treated much the way pioneers treated Hard Tack.
   Biscotti is usually a very hard, very dry biscuit/cookie. To soften up the biscotti, it is usually dipped in Coffee or Tea or Wine. Many people use biscotti with Soups and Sauces.

    The history of MY Biscotti recipe:
          When we were little, my Grammy made Biscotti for us. Grammy told me that her Mama told her how to make it....That makes my recipe nearly 100 years old!  Grammy also said plain (country) folks had more traditional Biscotti while 'City Folk' had  fancy Biscotti. 


Grammy is 2nd from the left

      Grammy made ours as smaller Biscotti.Usually about 3-4" long, vs  the more traditional Long biscotti. Why, you ask? "Because a LADY (as she's staring me down) would NEVER be caught in public with an 8" long anything hanging out her mouth"...Now that I am older and infinitely wiser, I think it was twofold. 1) it was much easier for little hands to hold and dunk, and 2) to teach her heathen granddaughter some manners.
     I make ours at Buffalo Gals in both the shorter 2paks or the single long biscotti. The 2paks are great... One for now. One for Later!
     As I got older, she didn't make it as often.
Many, many years went by..... my Mom gave me a set of handwritten cookbooks. Tucked into the back were a few loose recipes on scraps of paper. Among them, was the Biscotti recipe!
                                                             Lucky me!
   Now I get to share my history and my Yummy Biscotti with you!...and while I will NOT share my recipe, I do have some hints and tricks...
      * For a higher, fluffier Biscotti~ use the mixer and whip it good.
      * When sending through the oven the second time~ bake 5 min on each side and then stand up for 3-5 more minutes. They will bake better like this and the bottoms wont scorch.
      * Using Cocoa Powder? ~ for every 1/2 Cup cocoa, decrease flour by 1/4- 1/2 cup.

Ciao! ~

My Cinna-Mocha Biscotti

Katy

   

  

What does being 'BuffaloGals' mean?

 
A heck-of-a-lot!
     So, what does it all mean?
     Being the Buffalo Gal in Buffalo Gals Bakery & Country Store is more than just being a business owner. It's more like being a community.
     My little bakery and country store is my way of helping support our family farm.  It means I can use my domestic and homesteading skills to stay on the land that I love.    We have cattle and grains. And it's a bit like being the Pied Piper for me. My 'girlz' are mostly tame and follow me around like very big dogs.
     Buffalo Gals means self-sufficiency, giving, hard work and more. It's thinking outside the box to find solutions. It's helping others. It's enjoying the land and little play time.

Bohemian Brew Bag

     When somebody buys a  Bohemian Brew Bag , it doesn't just mean that I got paid for something I created. It helps a whole lot of other people. Right off the bat I give a percentage to Dakota Prairie Partners~A philanthropy group. "Hope, Inspiration & Vision"  It also means that the incredible lady from MoJo Roast Inc is doing well, because I am able to get the Coffee Bags from her. In turn, her being able to empty the coffee bags of beans, means that her dollars (and yours by purchasing her coffees) are supporting the Cafe Feminino program which in turn empowers women in Guatemala to be self sufficient. 
    When somebody buys Old Glory sugar cookies they are helping me support our troops. The proceeds from these fabulous soft cookies goes to Wounded Warrior Project. This is important to me, as I have two boys who serve. (Marines and Nat'l Guard)
  I also give to the PBR's Rider Relief Fund....
    Through my business I have met incredibly wonderful people, and had some amazing opportunities come my way. Last year I was able to participate in OSU's "An evening of Art & Fashion" by donating a handmade quilt to the silent auction.  The monies raised were used to help  Deployed Service Women finish their educations long distance.   
   It seems like we are all connected to each other in some way. Through giving, mentoring, donating and more.
   I know many, many other small business owners that give tirelessly of their time and talents outside of their own businesses.
   We ARE part of a Community.  

So~ Thank you!  For supporting my community ...

Katy

    
   
  
    
    

Bulls and Bananas!!!

Our boy, James

                             Holy Bulls, Batman!

    Bull riders are a special breed. It takes some nerve to get on the back of a bucking, twisting, pissed off animal that weighs as much as your car!
   Bull riding has been around as long as man has been chasing cattle! I am sure as a way to blow off steam, show off and hone skills. The PBR (Professional Bull Riders Association) was founded in 1992 and hosts over 300 events each year. The whopper of them all is the PBR Finals in Las Vegas. The top 30 cowboys compete for the World Title. The energy and excitement is astounding!
                   The object is to get on, and hang on!
                             8 seconds doesn't sound like a long time. But it is.
     In a nut-shell~The bulls get judged on 50% of the score, and the rider gets judged on 50% of the score.
    I've been to the Finals many times. We volunteer down there most years and sometimes in Bismarck for the Rider Relief Foundation...
        We have seen some tremendous accidents. These guys get launched into the air, stomped on, walked on, Rolled on and more.

Me and Hubby

     Which brings us to Banana's.  "Bucking-Bull-Nana's" to be exact. These riders get some incredible injuries. And let's face it, they aren't the most insurable guys! Don't get me wrong- these great athletes are  insured... But it doesn't leave any money left for anything else. Like bills. Or getting a spouse to your side in a hospital. Rider Relief Foundation helps these guys at all levels of competition (both Bull riders and Bull Fighters). Without it, many of these guys would lose everything they have. RRF is a 501c3-non-profit company. (www.riderrelief.com )
     Buffalo Gals Bakery & Country Store makes "Bucking-Bull-Nana" cookies. We give proceeds from these fabulous Oatmeal-Banana cookies to the RRF.  It's our way of saying THANKS. Thanks for the good times. Thanks for the excitement. Just Thanks.
   Do I have a Fave? Not so much this year, yet...But Ryan Dirteater gets me with his youthful exuberance!
  Look for an interview I just had with the RRF! I will be out soon!
Be sure to check out all the PBR has to offer... www.PBR.com ... and Buffalo Gals too!
        www.buffalogalsbakery.com or follow us on FB www.facebook.com/buffalogalsbakery  

See ya there!
Katy