Lavender Biscotti
From vanilla pecan to triple chocolate pistachio, the majority of biscotti I make include some type of nut. This biscotti is different. It still has the crisp crunch of the…
Desserts
Sicilian Cannoli
I remember the cannoli my grandmother used to make and I am so very grateful that I have her “handwritten recipe” for this iconic Sicilian sweet treat. I use…
Affogato
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Affogato al Caffe literally means drowned in coffee. This Italian combination of vanilla gelato and a shot of espresso is a quick and easy dessert that will satisfy your guests…
Holiday Spice Biscotti
Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what holidays are made of. I can’t imagine holiday baking without the aromatic fragrances that our favorite spices provide. Spices are derived…
Salame Dolce
Italians, as a rule, do not eat dessert after a meal, choosing perhaps a piece of fruit instead. However, it is a well-known fact that we find time “between”…
Sfinci di San Giuseppe
Saint Joseph (San Giuseppe) is not only the patron saint of Sicily, but he is also the patron saint of pastry cooks. The Feast of San Giuseppe (March 19th)…
Gelo di Prosecco
Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is made from grapes in the northern Veneto region of Italy and is the perfect celebratory wine. It is crisp, clean, light and refreshing,…
Blood Orange Chocolate Truffles
You may offer a terrific torta (cake) or several kinds of biscotti (cookies) to your guests after dinner, but there are some who consider chocolate to be the ultimate…
Raspberry Sorbet with Balsamic Drizzle
Ruby-red and tangy-sweet, raspberries are a special treat. Lamponi, (raspberries) ripe with flavor from early summer through fall’s first frost, are versatile little frutti (fruits). I use fresh raspberries…
Lemon Ice Box Pie
This type of pie was named after the “ice box” it was stored in to keep cool. Prior to World War II, the majority of Americans did not have…
Gelati
Our first Mother’s Day adventure abroad, was spent in Italy. Joe was very excited to visit the Roman Colosseum, as that was all he talked about for weeks prior…
Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce
Baskets of bright, fresh sweet raspberries from “Bountiful Baskets,” (a grassroots, all volunteer, food Co-op that distributes produce baskets at a substantial savings) led to more than a few…
Peaches in Wine
Simple and to the point, this dessert exemplifies the type of dish that many Italians choose to end the evening meal. What could be better than a juicy fresh peach…
Macerated Oranges
In Italy, every dinner does not conclude with a heavy dessert, in fact, dessert is rarely served at all. Unlike typical American dinners that end with a slice of…
Balsamic Berries
Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale, the richly flavored, slightly sweet, vinegar, from Modena, Italy, in the Emilia-Romania region, has been enjoyed by Italians for centuries. Balsamic vinegar, a versatile condiment, is…
Marsala-Poached Pears
The Sicilian city of Marsala, (from the Arabic “Mars-el-Allah,” meaning the port of God) on the ancient trade route between North Africa and Europe, still rely on the products…
Candied Sweet Potato Tart
The art of making desserts is a great source of pride for the Southern hostess. Armed with heirloom recipes and an intuitive sense that company may be dropping by,…
Mardi Gras Cupcakes
When you don’t have time to make the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake and need an easy alternative, these festive little cakes are the solution. However, this is not…
Yum!
Spring Cupcakes
Panettone Muffins
I discovered this recipe the last time I ordered Fiori di Sicilia for my biscotti recipe. King Arthur Flour is the oldest flour company in America and has served…