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  • CIOCCOLATO TORTA DI PANE

    Chocolate Bread Cake 8 Tbsp. Butter – unsalted and softened 8-10 Slices White Bread – stale, cut into small pieces7 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate – melted5 Eggs – large, separatedSalt1/2 C. Almond Flour6 Tbsp. Coarse Breadcrumbs4 1/4 C. Whole Milk – do not use low-fat1 1/4 C. SugarPowdered SugarExtra Chocolate for Shaving Heat oven to 350º.  Continue reading

  • LEMON GNOCCHI

    LEMON GNOCCHI

    There are endless recipes for making gnocchi and many seem to over complicate the process. This is the way my Nonna made them. It is not sophisticated nor complicated.  Just her simple way to a delicious result. With a little help from grandchildren she could whip up a batch to feed 20 easily! 12-16 oz Potatoes2 Continue reading

  • Visiting Normandy

    East of Le Havre and west of Rouen, at the Seine River’s northernmost tip, the small town of Caudebec-en-Caux, seemingly adorned with flowers, awaits those who travel each day to Normandy, to visit, pray, pay respects, get a sense of history, and sadly mourn. I have visited graves of friends and relatives, Arlington, The Arizona, Continue reading

  • In Flander’s Fields – The Significance of the Poppies

    In Flander’s Fields – The Significance of the Poppies

    “In Flanders Fields,” a hauntingly beautiful poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, has become an enduring symbol of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in war. This iconic poem captures the essence of the human cost of conflict and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of honouring and remembering our fallen Continue reading

  • Chicken Alla Vin Santo and Spaetzel

    Chicken Alla Vin Santo and Spaetzel

    CHICKEN ALLA VIN SANTO This easy chicken dish is quite delicious and equally impressive for company. 1 Chicken or Chicken Parts – your choice, cut into serving size pieces1 Red or Purple Onion – thinly slicedSalt and Freshly Ground PepperGarlic Powder – to taste4-5 Garlic Cloves – thinly sliced1 C. Good White Wine – one Continue reading

  • As We Were Traveling

    In a week’s span we visited several places in Norway, Scotland and England.  One day we docked in Newcastle Upon Tyne which is a metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England and located on the River Tyne and very populated. It was settled as a Roman settlement in the 1040’s but obviously not so Roman Continue reading

  • IT’S NOT HALLOWEEN BUT IT IS A DAY TO HONOR THE DEAD!

    IT’S NOT HALLOWEEN BUT IT IS A DAY TO HONOR THE DEAD!

    The 1st of November is a national holiday in Italy, known as Tutti i Santi or Ognissanti, which celebrates All Saints Day and is followed by All Souls Day, Il Giorno dei Morti on the 2nd of November, a day devoted to honor loved ones who have passed away. Il Giorno dei Morti begins at Continue reading

  • MAGIC, PAGANISM AND WITCHES

    MAGIC, PAGANISM AND WITCHES

    Magic in Italy! Years before Christianity and later Catholicism took hold, many parts of Italy were infected with witches, paganism and, of course, magic. But even with all the rituals and teachings of the Catholic church, many of the pagan beliefs have survived. It is believed that if you would go to a traditional house Continue reading

  • A Simple and Easy Yeast Dough

    A Simple and Easy Yeast Dough

    A SIMPLE AND EASY YEAST DOUGH Bake different recipes with this versatile dough. 1 1/2 C. Whole Milk1/2 C. Sugar2 Envelopes Fast-Rising Active Dry Yeast3 Eggs – room temperature7 C. Flour1/3 C. Butter1 tsp. Salt1/2 C. Warm Water – 105º – 110º1 tsp. Spice Heat milk, butter, sugar and salt in a saucepan until all Continue reading

  • Chicken Vesuvio and Apple Fritter Loaf

    Chicken Vesuvio and Apple Fritter Loaf

    CHICKEN VESUVIO (A garlicky chicken dish named after Mount Vesuvius.) 1/4 C. Olive Oil10 Garlic Cloves4 Russet Potatoes – large, peeled and quartered6-8 lb. Chicken Parts – your favorite – I use thighs with skin on1 1/2 C. Chicken Stock1 1/2 C. Good White Wine1/3 C. Parsley – chopped1 Tbsp. Dried OreganoSalt and Freshly Ground Continue reading