Cham-Pom Spritzer

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Drinks, Vegetarian | 34 comments

*horns blowing* *confetti flying* *everyone screaming* Happy New Year! Whew, okay well not quite but almost! I wanted to give you a cocktail for New Years Eve! I’ve been crazy for Pomegranate juice (not any Pomegranate juice mind you, Pom Wonderful, there’s just something about it, including that incredibly sexy little bottle) lately and knew we’d have to include that in the recipe. I tend to like fruity drinks and this one is right up my alley! I hope it will be up yours as well.

Spaghetti alla Fiamma {Flaming Spaghetti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pasta | 31 comments

Can I just say, how much I LOVE using my kitchen torch! Any opportunity to do so & I’m in! Who wouldn’t want a plate of flaming spaghetti? I mean hello those Japanese Steak Houses aren’t so popular for no reason ; ) Spaghetti alla Fiamma, pronounced well duh I think you can get Spaghetti all-a Fee-ah-ma is a plate full of fiery pasta goodness. And you have a huge helping of peas in there too so it’s a good way to sneak in those veggies.

Struffoli {Honey Balls}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 16 comments

Struffoli! Strew-foal-e are some awesome little marble sized honey balls of delight! Oh yes, they’re sticky! But that’s part of the fun!

Struffoli are a Neapolitan Dessert typically found around Christmas & Easter! You normally find them in either the shape of a wreath or a cone like tree or well mound if they won’t stand up. LOL Either way, they’re going to be delicious! Normally I’d sprinkle them with festive happy little sprinkles (because well sprinkles just scream HAPPY!, but alas we had used all my sprinkles up on sugar cookies *sigh*) If you’re feeling froggy, you can also add lemon zest or candied orange peel in as well!

Egg Nog French Toast

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Breakfast | 25 comments

What better time of year for Egg Nog French Toast than Christmastime! I know you’ve probably got some Egg Nog in your fridge & well let’s face it, you can only drink so much of it (well at least I can only drink so much of it LOL)

Cioccolata Calda {Hot Chocolate}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Drinks, Vegetarian | 56 comments

Ah, just the thought of Cioccolata Calda sends me into a frenzy! Chi-o-co-la-ta Call-da is Italian for Hot Chocolate. I’m going to attempt to describe this to those of you who have not experienced an authentic Italian Hot Chocolate. Which, btw is the BEST hot chocolate in the entire world. Don’t even try to change my mind. It simply is. If you’ve had it, you KNOW! Can I get an Amen?

And the winner is…

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 4 comments

Are you dying to know who won a copy of this fabulous children’s cookbook? Well Christmas is coming early for one lucky reader that’s for sure! I simply can’t say enough about how fabulous this book is, well yes I can LOL & I did. I know that my bambini are going to be enjoying this cookbook for a LONG time! It’s full of wonderful recipes with beautiful pictures & easy to follow step by step instructions that will set your child up for cooking success!

And as always, I wish I could gift a copy to all of you as well! But alas, boo hoo I can not. So without further ado … The winner, as selected by Random.org is….

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Posted by Paula in Beef, Pasta, Pork | 17 comments

Who’s ready for some LASAGNE? Me, me me! As soon as the weather turns frightful (& well, hello … old man winter has indeed arrived) I feel the urge for Lasagne!

Well to be completely up front with you, this is not a quick Lasagne Recipe. So if you’re looking for QUICK, you’re going to be disappointed. You’ll be better off going & picking up a box of Lasagne from the freezer section of your grocery. Oh it’s not going to be very good, but it will be quick.

Vanilla Extract

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 72 comments

It’s that time of year when you’re baking A LOT. And MANY recipes call for Vanilla Extract. I’m pretty particular about my Vanilla Extract. I like the Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract (PLEASE PLEASE don’t evah use imitation, it’s so pshew ~ well just please don’t use it) and well it’s not cheap. Depending on where you get it, it can run $10/for a 4 ounce bottles. I know right! So when I found out how EASY it was to make my own, I thought I’d give it a go! 

Lamb Chops & New Potatoes w/Rosemary & {a GIVEAWAY !}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Reviews | 63 comments

I was recently sent a complimentary copy of The Silver Spoon for Children cookbook. This cookbook is adapted from The Silver Spoon, Italy’s best selling cookbook for over fifty years. The Silver Spoon for Children features over 40 authentic Italian favorite recipes & is broken down into “Lunches & Snacks”, “Pasta & Pizza”, “Main Courses” & “Desserts & Baking”. They’re all easy to make recipes (like 3o mins or less people) are good for you & are geared at children 8 and above. You know you want a copy, don’t you *wink wink*!

Risotto all’Aragosta {Lobster Risotto}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Seafood | 33 comments

Awhile ago I was contacted by Challenge Dairy and was asked to create an Entrée for their holiday recipe showdown. To help me get inspired to create my entrée they sent me a complimentary care package which included:

Brutti ma Buoni {Ugly but Good}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts | 49 comments

Just looking at these cookies makes me happy. They’re so light & airy & of course calorie free – tee hee (well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) The name of these cookies is Brutti ma Buoni, which is Italian for “Ugly but Good!” Yes, I do also giggle when I say that.  Quite honestly I’m not sure I agree. I’ve seen some ugly cookies before and these would most certainly not top the list. And you know I won’t go very long without letting you know how to pronounce them so here goes…brew-t ma bwa-own-e….Brava! You’re a natural *wink wink*

And the Winner Is …

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 1 comment

Are you chomping at the bit to find out who the winner of our Mezzetta Giveway is? Are you dreaming of all the recipes you could make with those fabulous little products? Perhaps you’ll make my Olive & Sundried Tomato Crostini {it really is fab & perfect for any holiday party you might be having, really it is LOL}

But before we announce our winner, Thanks to everyone who entered! I just wanted to say that I really wish all of you could have won, but sadly no can do. Boo hoo! So with no further ado, Drumroll please… The winner as selected from Random.Org was

Cantucci {Tuscan Biscotti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts | 14 comments

Cantucci (or also known as Biscotti di Prato) might be something you’ve not heard of, but I’m here to help you out with that. (If you have, you know how insanely good they are and will want to make a batch as soon as possible ; )

Biscotti al Cioccolato {Chocolate Biscotti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts, Vegetarian | 34 comments

I LOVE these cookies! Biscotti in Italian means twice baked. Which is the perfect name because you bake these crunchy little dunking machines two times! Biscotti, pronounced Bis-skot-e is the plural of Biscotto (one Cookie) & hello who can only eat one of these things? Certainly not me. There are a GAZILLION things you can put inside your Biscotti and part of the fun is coming up with new flavor combinations. Almond is one of the most traditional. I had full intentions on making a Chocolate Almond Biscotti but HELLO someone ate all the almonds in my pantry without telling me. UFFA. Needless to say the Walnut combination worked fabulously as well.

Olive & Sundried Tomato Tapenade Crostini {& GIVEAWAY !}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer | 63 comments

I was contacted by Mezzetta awhile back with information on how to throw a 20 minute Miracle Party. Um 20 minutes? Yeah, do tell me more please ; ) So they graciously sent me a few complimentary jars of Mezzetta Products and some information & ideas on how to pull this off… So are you a little skeptical? I sure was. But hey, I’m game… so bring it on…

Holiday Gift Guide – {It’s off to the Kitchen we go!}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 7 comments

Well I promised you MORE Holiday Gift Guides & here you go….Voila Gift Guide #2!

These are gifts for people who love to cook, or who just want to look like they love to cook LOL ; ) Either way they’re all FOODIETASTIC! I either have the items on this list or would LOVE to have them *hint hink honey!* Mwah! There are definitely splurge items (ie: The Saeco Caffe Maker – & YES I do own this & I can’t tell you how much I LOVE it! Worth every penny!) on this list, but there are also super reasonable ones too (ie: that Silpat mat, every kitchen needs one of those!) So hopefully something for everyone. I know I would be a happy little Elf if I got anything on this list!

Penne Calabresi {Calabrian Penne}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pasta, Vegetarian | 22 comments

Okay, well I thought I’d give you a little reprieve from all the chicken recipes as of late – LOL! Not that I’m abandoning my dear friend Pollo or anything. Just have a CRAVING for pasta. Plus, it’s right after Thanksgiving & I’m literally stuffed. I’m going to have to break out the “roomy” pants for about a week. Don’t act like you don’t have some *wink wink* Why do I stuff myself so every year? Dimmi…. eh? And besides, I’ve held out on the pasta recipes for awhile.

Bombolini alla Nutella {Nutella filled Doughnuts}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Breakfast, Desserts, Nutella, Vegetarian | 63 comments

These are THE most delicious little balls of pillowy, chocolaty, hazelnut goodness! I wish you could smell them. The dough is intoxicating. Even before you take a bite you’re sucked in to their magnetic forcefield. Seriously. THAT. good.