I just got back from playing Santa. By that I mean I drove to the houses of several friends, knowing they would not be home (except for one who had to help me out with a spare key because I had locked myself out of the house). Anyway, I drove to their houses and left gifts on their porches. Each friend got a little bag with two homemade biscotti and either coffee, tea, chai , or hot chocolate, depending on their tastes. I like to give my friends little gifts, just enough to show them I value their friendship but not enough to make them feel bad, because really, we don't exchange gifts. I thought cookies and something nice to dunk them in was a fair choice. Here is the biscotti recipes I used. Bittersweet Chocolate almond Biscotti 3 c. flour, plus more for dusting 2 teaspoons baking powder pinch of salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 large eggs 8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 1/2 cup slivered, blanched almon...