• ONION PIE

    ONION PIE

    (This is one of my go to recipes when I need an appetizer quick and easy) PREHEAT OVEN TO 350º Smear 6 tablespoons of softened butter all over a 10-inch pie plate. Crush one full sleeve plus about 8 crackers more by pounding in a plastic bag  with your rolling pin or just put in… Continue reading

  • CHICKEN THIGHS CURRIED STEW

    A great way to incorporate different vegetables and serve over rice or with mashed potatoes. 2 TBS VEGETABLE OR CANOLA OIL 2 TBS BUTTER – unsalted 6 CHICKEN THIGHS – skin on, bone in SALT AND PEPPER 1 ½ CUPS CHOPPED ONION 3 TSPS CURRY POWDER – or more to taste ½ – 1 TSP… Continue reading

  • THE WAY THINGS WERE!

    THE WAY THINGS WERE!

    I was born during the 1940’s.  I remember “lights out”, air raids and area wardens. There was a war going on, times were rough, and many foods were rationed and many unavailable.  We had to buy certain items with food stamps and many times though promised were not available.  Meat was very scarce and what… Continue reading

  • A SIMPLE AND EASY YEAST DOUGH

    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

  • Christmas Plates and Chocolate Walnut Souffles

    Christmas Plates and Chocolate Walnut Souffles

    Eons ago when our children were young, I would make Christmas plates that we would use at Christmas time and always for Christmas morning breakfast. As the years went on the number of plates grew which worked out well because when they had families of their own, I gave them a number of the plates… Continue reading

  • Will it be Turkey or Goose? Or Maybe…Lasagna!

    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: AN ANCIENT CHRISTMAS TREAT

    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…

    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

  • MOSTACCIOLI

    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 AND CARDAMON COOKIES

    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