Grandma Duval's Wine Biscuits

Grandma Duval was a woman who exuded joy all the time.  She loved nothing more than family. Always by Grandpa's side, she was surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  If you were to walk into their house on a Sunday, you would become an honorary family member.  I'm lucky enough to have married her eldest grandson and to have become a part of her ever-growing family. She loved everyone and was loved by everyone.  


I wanted to honor her this Easter by making her famous wine biscuits. As I rolled and knotted the biscuits, I gained a deeper understanding of her talent and humility. I picture her carefully measuring, rolling and knotting dozens of biscuits (making plenty of extras to ensure there would be enough to go around). The process, for me, was a challenge but, after her many years of practice, I'm sure she could have done it in her sleep.  


While they will never be quite as good as hers, I was proud of the finished product and happy to have a piece of Grandma Duval with us on Easter.  


2 cups Muscatel/Muscato wine
2 cups oil
2 tbsp. anise seed
2 tsp black pepper
10 tsp. (3 tbsp. plus 1 tsp.) baking powder
1  1/2 cups sugar
8 cups flour (do not pack)


Mix together wine, oil, anise seed, pepper, baking powder and sugar.  Keep adding flour until all used up.  Roll thicken than a pencil and knot.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 of 375 on an ungreased baking sheet.  


Note: I used about 1 tbsp. of dough per biscuit.  The recipe makes a huge batch.