My favorite base recipe for biscotti (and I have tried a bunch recently). Instead of 10 tbsp butter I do 1 stick butter and 2 tbsp olive oil so I don't have to keep partial sticks around. When I use almonds, I used whole raw almonds that I chopped and roasted while the oven finished preheating. I have tried all sorts of combos with different nuts, chocolate chips, craisins, orange zest/juice, and still going.... oh yeah- I also found if I wet my hands slightly it was easier to form the dough and created a nice smooth finish.
