So it may be a stereotype that writer type people drink a lot more coffee than most people.  And it may be a stereotype that in Italy you drink more coffee than most places. Now if you take the two of those and combine them….let’s say that caffeine can become its own food group.  Every stereotype has a grain of truth that has kept it alive, and this is no exception.  I personally like tasty little cookies to go along with my coffee.  Although my consumption of cantuccini is extremely regular, a little variety is, as they say, the spice of life.

If you have traveled in Tuscany you know that hazelnuts are extremely popular here.  They are outweighed in the fall by stands of freshly roasted chestnuts all over the region, but you can always find hazelnuts.  So what is a great way to combine these two flavors? By making simple hazelnut cookies and putting them all the way around the saucer for the coffee.

Simple energizing and motivating.  I found a four ingredient recipe on www.regionalrecipes.com that takes only 15 minutes to prep. www.regionalrecipes.com/article1136 and the advice about only using real butter is key.  I personally prefer to always use unsalted butter for baking because I think it lends a sweeter flavor without increasing the sugar content or the calorie count; this helps to justify an extra cookie.  I am a big fan of dishes with a small number of ingredients and using only flour, sugar, butter and hazelnuts you get great results here.  After the work day is done adding Frangelico to the coffee and then dipping the cookies is a good complementary flavor as well.

The website was really fun too. In addition to Tuscany, they have regional recipes and cookbook recommendations from around the world. And enjoying food has no borders.