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Bake different recipes with this versatile dough. 1 ½ CUPS WHOLE MILK 1/3 CUP BUTTER ½ CUP SUGAR 1 TEASPOON SALT 2 ENVELOPES FAST-RISING ACTIVE DRY YEAST ½ CUP WARM WATER – 105º – 110º 3 EGGS – room temperature 1 TEASPOON SPICE 7 CUPS FLOUR   Heat milk, butter, sugar and salt in a Continue reading

While we often think of a big, beautiful turkey as the star of the Christmas feast, it’s actually a humble goose that takes center stage in the Cratchit household in “A Christmas Carol.” Remember that scene where Scrooge sends a little street urchin to buy a turkey? Well, back in Victorian London, turkey was considered Continue reading

Struffoli are delightful tiny fried dough balls coated in honey and colorful sprinkles, making them a festive treat worth the effort. This traditional Neapolitan sweet has its origins in southern Italian convents, where cloistered nuns popularized and perfected the recipe. For centuries, these convents served as confectionery hubs, where skilled nuns crafted intricate pastries such Continue reading

In Sicily the aura and ambience of Christmas can be felt as early as mid-November, when the streets glow with colored lights, store windows are filled with enticing decorations, gastronomic delights, and, heavily displayed, the beloved and fashionable panettone. Sicilian markets attract with living nativity scenes, Christmas villages, carols, and the fragrance of candied fruits Continue reading

Campania’s Christmas Spice Cookie These are one of Campania’s several Christmas spice cookies, sometimes half covered with chocolate fondant, half with white, sometimes only with chocolate.  They are also made” imbottiti”, stuffed with dried fruits and nuts. While a little time-consuming to make, the end result is well worth it. FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH 2 Continue reading

PANCOTTO Bread Soup – a simple soup that warms body and soul. This was a soup that my Little Nonna made often so I get to think of her as it simmers on the stove. 1 LB YUKON GOLD POTATOES – diced 1 ONION – coarsely chopped 1 CELERY STALK – thinly sliced 1 TB Continue reading

WHAT EXACTLY IS A PUMPKIN? One of the most adored fall foods in America is the pumpkin, especially for its versatility not only as a food but as a decoration, a symbol and an introduction to the season. Pumpkins have a savory or flavorful profile, so we typically think of them as a vegetable but Continue reading

The day or days after Thanksgiving are ones I have to plan for, too.  Some of the family sleeps over, some are coming back and there will be hungry grandchildren waiting for breakfast.  They like to hit the malls and do some preliminary shopping while anticipating the leftovers for dinner.  So not to disappoint them Continue reading