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  • TORTINO di RISO

    PREHEAT OVEN TO 350º 1 ½ QUART BAKING DISH – greased 2 CUPS WHOLE MILK – do not use low-fat  6 TBS PARMESAN CHEESE – freshly grated 4 EGGS – large, separated SALT – to taste 1 ½ CUPS ARBORIO RICE 3 TBS BUTTER– unsalted FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER – to taste Place milk and… Continue reading

  • CRABMEAT STRUDEL

    A delicious strudel with a flavorful crabmeat filling. PREHEAT OVEN TO 375º 1 PKG (17.3 OZ) PUFF PASTRY SHEETS – thawed 1 EGG MIXED WITH 1 TB WATER 8 OZ COLD LUMP CRABMEAT – pasteurized, drained 1-2 TBS LEMON JUICE – freshly squeezed 8 OZ CREAM CHEESE – room temp ¼ CUP MAYONNAISE ½ CUP… Continue reading

  • CALCIONELLI

    From Abruzzo we are gifted with this sweet, fried pastry filled with nuts and honey. Despite being fried they are light in texture.  Traditionally made with Punch Abruzzo, a sweet liqueur made with caramelized sugar, honey, oranges, lemons and Cointreau, you can omit the alcohol and substitute vanilla extract. This recipe makes app 4 ½… Continue reading

  • BLUEBERRY BUCKLE

    2 C. All-Purpose Flour1/2 C. Light Brown Sugar – packed14 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter – room temp. and diced1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract1 Qt. Blueberries3/4 C. Sugar1/4 tsp. Cinnamon – or to taste1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder1/2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Zest – or to taste2 Eggs – room temp. Preheat oven to 350º, grease a cake… Continue reading

  • ASPARAGUS RICE SALAD

    Rice salads can make an entire meal and with all the vegetable varieties from your garden, local grocer or farmer’s market, the possibilities are endless. 1 C. Long-Grain Rice – uncooked1/4 C. Pignoli or Slivered Almonds3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice – freshly squeezed1/2 tsp. Salt 1/2 C. Scallions – trimmed, diagonally cut, thin1 lb. Asparagus –… Continue reading

  • ALMOND LEMON PARSLEY PESTO

    Pesto di Mandorle PESTO: 1 CUP ALMONDS – lightly toasted 2-3 GARLIC CLOVES – finely chopped PINCH RED PEPPER FLAKES 1 CUP ITALIA PARSLEY – minced 3 TBS FRESH MINT – optional ½ CUP GRANA PADANO CHEESE – freshly grated ½ WHOLE MEYER LEMON – cut into chunks, skin and all ½ CUP EXTR VIRGI… Continue reading

  • Wishing all Mothers a Blessed Day!

    Wishing all Mothers a Blessed Day!

    Mothers come in all shapes, sizes and disguises. We don’t get to choose our Mother and sometimes we have to make adjustments and work the best we can with what we are given. However, along the way, if we open our hearts, we are blessedly provided with alternatives. I was fortunate to have a few.… Continue reading

  • LEMON ALMOND PASTRY PUFFS

    Think of a little puff of lemon sweetness enhanced with almond flavoring, toasted almonds and all rolled into a little puff! ½ C. + 1 Tbsp. Cream Cheese – room temp.2 Tbsp. Lemon Curd¼ tsp. Almond Extract2 tsp. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry – thawed1/3 C. Powdered Sugar – divided1 Egg –… Continue reading

  • ARANCINI RICE CASSEROLE

    ARANCINI RICE CASSEROLE

    An easy to make casserole with the great taste of Sicilian Rice Balls when I don’t have time to make traditional Arancini. 1 lb Ground Beef2 Eggs – beaten3 C. Tomato Sauce – or more as needed1 1/2 C. Fresh Mozzarella – shredded1 Tbsp. Onion – mincedSalt – to tastePinch of Ground Cinnamon – optional3… Continue reading

  • POLENTA DOLCE

    POLENTA DOLCE

    Sweet Polenta with Applesauce This was one of my favorite foods that my Nonna Giovanna made. However, she made it without the applesauce but with a side of her homemade prune preserve. Now prunes may not impose a thought of deliciousness but whatever her recipe was (and I wish I had it) it was truly… Continue reading