Handmade Cappuccino
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In Italy, coffee is more than a beverage, it is an important part of everyday life, a social phenomenon, a religious experience. However, when at home, the Italian way…
Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
Rustic Ricotta Biscuits
Ricotta is not actually a cheese, rather it is a byproduct of the cheese-making process. The creamy curds of ricotta are rich in protein, are an excellent source of…
Sicilian Sunrise
A colorful libation to begin a delicious day! Brunch is my favorite way to entertain. It can be casual or elegant, yet the atmosphere is always festive, friendly and…
Almond Ricotta Cake
Much of the baking my grandmother did (usually biscotti) included almonds in some way. The almond tree was brought to Sicily by the ancient Greeks, who considered it to…
Roasted Baby Eggplant
Roasted, stuffed, grilled and fried, are just some of the methods Italians (particularly southern Italians and Sicilians) use to turn this versatile vegetable into a vast variety of dishes.…
Crostata di Pesca
A crostata is simply an Italian free-form pie or tart, typically filled with a fruit jam or fresh fruit. I like to make them for their ease in preparation,…
Torta di Prugna
During the 1980’s when I lived in Campbell, California I entered a baking contest. It was for the Campbell Prune Festival held in the streets of our historic downtown. This…
Apple & Sage Turkey Meatballs
Sweet apples, tart cranberries and the warm, earthy essence of fresh sage are the flavors of Fall and are what these versatile meatballs are all about. They are great for…
Italian Apple Cake
Like my toasted almond breakfast cake, olive oil zucchini bread and mascarpone souffle, this is another fitting addition to your morning meal. Made with apples and cinnamon, golden raisins…
Ricotta Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Sometimes I’ll make scones and occasionally I’ll whip up a batch of muffins or biscuits but, as a rule, if I want to serve something sweet in the morning, especially…
Almond & Pear Torta
This is one of those cakes that doesn’t require a special occasion. Quite the opposite, as it is a favorite everyday kind of cake. The slightly sweet batter isn’t…
Honey-Nut Stuffed Dried Figs
Snacking on dried fruits and nuts (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) is an essential part of the Mediterranean diet and my pantry is generally stocked with a variety of…
Orange Mascarpone Biscuits
These quick and easy-to-prepare biscuits will add a special touch to your everyday breakfast. And, if you’re having overnight guests for the holidays, it’s nice to have something fresh…
Raspberry & Mascarpone Torta
Who among us doesn’t enjoy a great pastry or coffee cake? Whether it’s a small wedge with that first cup of coffee in the morning or a generous slice shared…
Peach Bellini
Venice, Italy, considered by many to be one of the most romantic cities in the world and a favorite honeymoon destination, is where my husband, Jack and I spent…
Peach & Prosciutto Bruschetta
My inspiration for this bruschetta (singular) comes from the “small bites” of Italy, known as merenda. The nourishing small meals are defined by the season and since July is…
Vanilla Olive Oil Pound Cake with Roasted Rosemary Grapes
Pound cake has been around for a very long time, as the original recipe dates back to the early 1700’s. The cake was called pound cake because the only…
Scorzette di Arancia
If you can peel an orange and boil water you can make candied orange peel! I feel very fortunate to have several citrus trees in my yard and I…
Brown Butter Fig Biscotti
As a rule, when a recipe calls for toasted nuts, it really is non-negotiable. Toasting intensifies their nutty flavor and whether the nuts are whole, sliced or slivered, you…
Poached Figs with Ricotta
I have said many times that dishes do not have to be difficult to prepare nor costly to be delicious. A simple bowl of poached dried figs nestled on…