Strawberry Crostata
To me, Spring just screams strawberries! I serve them fresh with a splash of balsamic vinegar, toss them into salads, add them to my fruit pizza, and strawberry bruschette. And…
Cakes (Torta) & Souffles
Cannoli Cake & Ice Cream
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A special cake for a special occasion, inspired by the quintessential Sicilian dolce, cannoli. This elegant cake was the perfect ending to a lovely ladies’ luncheon. The accompanying ice…
Mincemeat Christmas Cake
My paternal grandmother made this cake every Christmas. The recipe was given to her by a very dear friend on December 2, 1953. We didn’t know what was in…
Ricotta “Cake Mix” Cake
Over the years, I have made various types of cakes with ricotta (even pancakes), such as, almond ricotta cake, blueberry breakfast cake and lemon ricotta cheesecake. This cake is…
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…
Praline Pound Cake
A coffee and tea time favorite, this praline pound cake is one of those Southern cakes that is a consummate example of down-home goodness. I love this type of…
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…
Marsala Apple Cake
The town of Marsala is located in the northwest part of Sicily and produces a fortified wine bearing her name. In the late 1700’s the wine was ‘fortified’ with…
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…
Petite Pistachio Cakes
Pistachios have been growing in Sicily for centuries and my grandmother always had them in her pantry. Removing the shells was a tedious task and required a bit of…
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…
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…
Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake
Cheesecake is one of those desserts that you’ll find in many eateries from casual cafes to fine-dining restaurants. Typically served with a graham cracker crust, the classic dessert 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…
Toasted Almond Breakfast Cake
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…
Flourless Chocolate-Orange Olive Oil Cake
It may sound odd but, I often plan my dinner party menus with the end in mind, meaning dessert. This makes perfect sense to me, as it is the…
How to Grate Nutmeg
Nutmeg, the healthy spice that takes a back seat to your everyday spices for much of the year, comes out swinging during the holidays. This seemingly seasonal spice is…
Chocolate Espresso Olive Oil Cake
I am not what you’d call a chocoholic, but every now and then, when only something chocolate will do, this cake is guaranteed to satisfy the craving every time.…
Cheesecake
Every time I make this cheesecake, I am reminded of two things: to be grateful for time spent with family and of the “The Italian Place” in San Jose,…