Pollo alla Birra {Chicken in Beer}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Poultry | 16 comments

Bok Bok Bok Bok! Yep it’s chicken time again! Don’t act surprised. LOL You know I’m on a mission! Plus, I bought a few HUGE family packs of  thighs & well I have to put them to good use! Up this time … it’s Pollo alla Birra {Chicken in Beer}. I’m not a beer drinker, I’m sure I’ve mentioned that before. You know I’m a wine girl myself.  But this  really doesn’t have an overwhelming BEER taste in it. Trust me, if so I wouldn’t be eating it. I know it calls for TWO whole cans of beer. Yes, it does. But it cooks down for like an hour people and reduces into this beautiful amazing sauce!

Melanzane alla Parmigiana {Eggplant Parmesan}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Vegetables, Vegetarian | 17 comments

Ah, eggplants…AUBERGINES (even bettah)! Have I mentioned how much I LURVE them? They are really a vivacious veggie ; ) Like that do ya? They’re an amazing regal dark purple color & have curves that go on for miles, my kinda veggie! A few of these babies are the backbone of this amazing dish. If you don’t have time to make a Lasagne alla Bolognese try this. It’s the same comfort food feel except in a veggie version ; )   

Pollo in Salsa di Mandorle {Chicken w/Almond Sauce}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Poultry | 12 comments

Yes it’s time for another chicken recipe! In my quest for 101 perfect poultry recipes I’m adding this one to the category! It’s amazing what you can do with chicken! Simply amazing. No more boring chicken ruts! Nope, not gonna happen on my watch ; ) This one will make your tummy & your pocketbook very happy!

Cavolfiore Gratinati {Cauliflower au Gratin}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian | 27 comments

Cauliflower doesn’t really do much for me on it’s own, BUT add some loverly creamy bechamel sauce, some homemade breadcrumbs & the King of cheese Parmigiano Reggiano & well count me in! This dish will hopefully make you think twice about Cauliflower & should get even the pickiest of eaters in your house to change their minds as well. I know my kids lurve this! They call them white trees (& yes they refer to broccoli as green trees) I think it’s cute & well they’re eating them so I’m a happy camper.

Salsicce All’Erbe {Sausages w/Herbs}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 17 comments

Okay first off let me say that SAUSAGES are incredibly hard to photograph! Seriously, I almost didn’t post this because the foto does in no way shape or form convey the deliciousness of this dish! So let’s go with the don’t judge a book by it’s cover motto, shall we…These Sausages would be equally fantabulous over a bed of polenta. Matter of fact, I would have put it over polenta had I had any in the pantry. But alas no such luck so the potato was the next best option (& well let’s face it, it was in the pantry). The Italian Sausages are full of flavor. Be sure to pierce them before you cook them or else they’ll explode like a water balloon & who wants to have a mess of sausage in the pan, just sayin.

Piselli alla Pancetta {Peas w/Pancetta}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Sides, Vegetables | 8 comments

With all of these sweet posts lately (Crostoli, Chocolate Nutella Molten Lava Cakes, Panna Cotta *drool*) I have been craving some veggies. I know, you might want to check my temperature. I thought the same thing. But you know before I know it, it’s going to spring (dare to dream – I am ovah all this snow) and wiggly jiggly is only good in jello if you know what I mean. 

Crostoli

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts, Vegetarian | 17 comments

In case you didn’t know, It’s CARNEVALE time! Carnevale started on Feb 6th this year and runs through Feb 16th! Carnevale is truly an experience, and I think everyone should experience it at least once in their lives – in VENICE (Italy, Not CA) of course!

I was fortunate enough to live only about 1 hours train ride from Venice when in lived in Friuli and went to Carnevale many times. Each time was more incredible than the last. They have parades, balls (yes masquerade of course), music, parties, you name it. There’s as much confetti flying everywhere as there are pigeons. It’s quite a party. A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale (anything goes at Carnevale)!

And the winner is…

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 5 comments

Thanks again to the lovely folks at Zappos.Com (nope not just shoes peeps, they have HOUSEWARES too! Go check it out ; ) for providing such a fantabulous prize! This 5 hearts Waffle Maker is indeed a cutie! And well you guys thought so too ; ) I really enjoyed reading through all of the ways you like to top your waffles ; ) I think I found a few new ones that I must try out!

Okay, Okay, I know you want to know was it me, did I win!!! WELL  *dum dum dum* the super duper lucky duck winner as selected by random.org is… 

Panna Cotta

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Vegetarian | 18 comments

Ah Panna Cotta! pan-nah- ko-ta is just one of those classic desserts that makes you want to roll your eyes with joy when you see it, let alone taste it *licking fingers & making silly noises*. Come in a little closer …  *whispering* it couldn’t be easier to make!

I know right! It’s amazingly simple & I’m going to show you how & just in time for VALENTINE’S DAY! Your sweetie is going to lurve you! And if you don’t have a sweetie, even bettah more for you!

Bistecche ai Funghi {Steak w/Mushrooms}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Beef, Main Course | 16 comments

Ah steak & shrooms, they just go hand in hand don’t they! Well as usual, everything sounds better in Italian. I think I’m just going to start speaking in Italian full time. Cosa pensi? eh he he… Bistecche ai Funghi is pronounced Biz-stay-kay I foon-gee & it’s just that, steak & shrooms.Are you ready for a different take on this classic combination? I had this dish (as with every other LOL) in Italy forevah ago & thought it was genius. You’ve got this crunchy toast (essentially a piece of Texas Toast as it’s known round here ; ) on the bottom, a luscious piece of medium steak. Because yes, I think that steak should be eaten medium with a warm pink center *drool* and then it’s topped with a blanket of scrumptious shrooms that have been basking in a tomato wine based sauce! SUBLIME! It’s full of texture, flavor & it’s oh so filling! What more can you ask for!

Five of Hearts Waffles Maker GIVEAWAY

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 267 comments

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! and to celebrate, guess what? We’re having a GIVEAWAY! *fainting ensues*

Yes, I know, I know, I told you there probably wasn’t going to be any for a while BUT this was a nice surprise from the nice folks over at Zappos.com . I know you’re thinking Zappos? Don’t they do shoes? Well yes they do! BUT they also have a Housewares department! They were nice enough to send me this little baby & because I’m all about spreading the LOVE, I just couldn’t resist sharing with you! It’s just perfect for Valentine’s Day…More specifically for Valentine’s Breakfast… Perhaps breakfast in bed even ; )

Caponata

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer, Vegetarian | 17 comments

Caponata is a Southern Italian Eggplant dish, or Aubergine dish. So much sexier to say Aubergine ; ) It’s basically an Italian version of ratatouille. Ka-pone-ah-ta is the perfect appetizer over Crostini (hello everything is better on Crostini, no?) & it’s fantastic served with fish!

Chocolate Nutella Molten Lava Cake

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Nutella, Vegetarian | 46 comments

horns blowing* Happy World NUTELLA Day *streamers flying* !!! You know I am supah excited about an entire day dedicated to one of my most favorite things evah! NUTELLA! A big thank you to our hostesses: Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso.

And to celebrate this oh so special day I naturally wanted to come up with a special, over-the-top recipe & what better way to celebrate than with a CAKE? Not just any cake, oh no, it had to be one worthy of my longtime love… Nutella!

Super {appetizer} Bowls for the Super Bowl!

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer | 17 comments

Are you ready for some FOOOOOOOTBALL? Well technically no I’m not! *gasp* I know but I’m just not a football fan y’all! Don’t hate! I am however, a fan of parties! And especially of making food for parties (you liking me better now? LOL) So I decided I’d come up with something new & exciting for your Super Bowl party! I figured you’d be overwhelmed with slider, buffalo wings, chili & dip recipes! Not that there’s anything wrong with those, BUT I wanted to give you a little something something unexpected!

Agnolotti di Zucca {Pumpkin Agnolotti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pasta, Vegetarian | 23 comments

We’ve been snowed in since Friday & this recipe is one of the only good things that has come from it! I have serious cabin fever ppl (plus I’m almost out of wine NOT good!) I love the snow. Okay, not completely true, I love to LOOK at the snow. I’m not a cold weather girl. Now if I was on a mountain in a fabulous lodge, with loads of Ciocolatta Calda, cute snowboots, sitting in front of fireplace with nowhere to go, MAYBE! But alas, not my life.

So on day five of being snowed in, rations are getting low & me not wanting to venture out onto the icy roads, I thought let’s make some fresh pasta! I’ve obviously got the time. And all of the ingredients (surprisingly) ! I even made homemade bread yesterday! I’ve been a baking fool. Well that and the gas oven pretty much keeps the kitchen warm LOL!

And the winner is…

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 3 comments

What an amazing month we had! Thank you ALL for helping celebrate our very first blogaversary here at bell’alimento! We were so fortunate to have had some fantastic giveaways and delicious guest posts (thanks again to Doughmesstic & La Fuji Mama to posts for stopping by our kitchen) ! I hope to continue the tradition!

So I bet you’re wondering who won the incredible Wine Secrets book & gawgeous wine rack from VinoLuci! We had lots of eager beavers enter to win! There were some awesome wine favorites listed. So much so, I think I’m going to have to try out a few of those myself ; ) Ah, what I do for the cause tee hee!

Okay Okay, Thanks to the the mathematical skills of the random number generator (& thank goodness because I am NOT a math girl, well that is unless there is a sale on shoes & then I’m suddenly a math genius doing high math in my head like no one’s biz LOL ; ) *drum roll please* the winner is…