If you travel enough, bad things happen. You run into Peet's in San Franciso, and you find that Starbucks no longer cuts it. Then someone teaches you to make biscotti and the stuff in coffee houses is just -well- boring. <sigh> No wonder I can't lose weight...

1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tsp anise seed
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups white flour, sifted
2 Tbsp green tea powder (optional)
2 tsp baking powder (not soda...powder)
1 cup sliced un-blanched almonds

Beat sugar and eggs togther until creamy. Add melted butter, anise, and almond extract. Mix well and add flour, green tea powder if using it, and baking powder as it mixes. Add nuts. Mix until a thick but smooth batter results. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour but batter will keep a couple of days.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove dough and shape into a 1.5 inch high rectangle about 9" by 6" on a single layer un-greased baking tray. Cook about 30-35 minutes until lightly browned and the center is done. Remove from oven and tray, then cut into 1/2 inch wide strips. Place back on tray with the cut side down and cook until browned, about 15 - 20 minutes. This can be longer if the first step was too short. Doesn't seem to hurt the taste any. Cool on wire racks and store in an airtight container.

Makes about 12 pieces.