Top 10 Tastiest Treats of 2010

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Nutella | 27 comments

The ball is about to drop on 2010. That’s right Ryan {you know the one that you can’t turn the tv on without seeing everywhere. Do you think he sleeps? I mean how many jobs can one possibly have?} with his perfectly coiffed hair and freshly crest whitened teeth will be plastered on the tube counting down the minutes and reminiscing for HOURS about 2010 memories.

Cheers to a New Year’s Eve Party

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

*Horns Blowing* Confetti flying through the air, landing in your hair, on the floor, in your drink ; ) Then before you know it the clock strikes MIDNIGHT, you’re dodging party horns and the crowd screams Happy NEW YEAR! Well not quite but almost!

Festa dei Sette Pesci {Feast of the Seven Fishes}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Seafood | 23 comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ; ) But before we can get to Christmas, there is Christmas EVE. With that, a very special feast comes.The Feast of the Seven Fishes. Festa dei Sette Pesci is celebrated on Christmas Eve and it is indeed a FEAST! It can also be referred to as La Viglia, La Viglia di Natale, {The Vigil}.

And the winner is…plus a special offer from ManPans

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Giveaway | 3 comments

Looks like you all are diggin’ the ManPans as much as I am ; ) I’m pleased as punch that you have come out in force for such a great giveaway! I feel like Mrs. Claus this month! As always I wish EVERYONE could have one of these sexy sauce pans. I’m such a giver, but alas I’m no Oprah so sadly only ONE of you can be the winner of this 6 quart sauce pan with steamer and lid.

Aragosta fra Diavolo {Lobster Fra Diavolo}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pasta, Seafood | 35 comments

I truly adore seafood. Just the thought of a meal with seafood gives me goose bumps {in a good way obviously}. Being close to the coast we are able to enjoy a variety of seafood for the majority of the year. Lucky me I know ; )I’d be hard pressed to pick my absolute favorite BUT if you threatened to take my Nutella away and made me, I’d have to say lobster {don’t worry mussels, shrimp, crab, sea bass…I still love you!} 

ManPans 6 quart sauce pan/steamer GIVEAWAY!

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Giveaway | 458 comments

Have you heard of the new kid on the cookware block? The new star on the cooking scene? Well if you haven’t, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to MANPANS. Cool name, cooler pans ; ) You may remember them from our schweet little food ninja project we did a while back. You may have seen it making an appearance in my very first cooking video. Or you may have heard me on Twitter telling you about my newfound love for a PAN. Yes, it’s true I am in lurve with a PAN {and pretty sure you will be too}

Torta all’Olio di Oliva {Olive Oil Cake}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 33 comments

Olive oil cake is one of life’s little pleasures. It is a cake unlike others. Don’t let it’s simple appearance fool you, it’s flavorful beyond belief. The olive oil makes it luxurious and fragrant. The smells coming from the oven will tempt you, and taunt you before it even touches your fork let alone before it tickles your tongue. For this cake you simply MUST use the finest extra virgin olive oil you can put your hands on. It is after all the star of the cake. And the star is a diva and demands to shine though ; ) !

Nudo – Olive Tree Adoption GIVEAWAY

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Giveaway | 237 comments

I mentioned in my Holiday Gift Guide post how much I LOVE to give. I also listed Nudo as one of my gift suggestions. I mentioned them because I LOVE their olive oils and gift sets and think their tree adoptions are pure genius! And now I’m PLEASED as punch to be able to put them both together and GIVE AWAY one of the most amazing, cutting edge, cool gifts evah! That’s right, we’ve teamed up with NUDO, who have generously offered to gift {ehem disclaimer} ONE of you LUCKY READERS a year’s adoption to one of their olive tree’s. *and the crowd goes wild*

2010 Holiday Gift Guide

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 11 comments

Who loves GIVING gifts. Me Me Me! I DO! Really I DO. Nothing better than searching high and low for the PERFECT gift and then seeing the expression on that special someone’s face when they open it {or have them scream in your ear on the phone when it arrives on their doorstep, equally exhilarating ; ) } And okay it’s pretty cool to get gifts too isn’t it ; ) Not gonna lie!

Sooooooo I’ve put together a short list of some of my favorite things… Mostly Italian things {with one exception because quite honestly I cook almost all of my Italian food in THIS cooler than cool pan, therefore they simply couldn’t be left off my list}

Here are a few of my favorite things …

A SPECIAL OFFER from Creminelli Fine Meats

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork | 8 comments

I love it when I can share amazing products and companies with you. Creminelli Fine Meats is one of those gems. I’m THRILLED at the warm welcome you gave to Creminelli through the GIVEAWAY last week. I was literally GIDDY with excitement when I found out that I could now FINALLY have authentic Italian artisan salami here in the states.

Cozze con la Salsiccia Piccante {Mussels with Spicy Sausage and Tomato}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Pork, Seafood | 27 comments

Mamma  Mia how I adore MUSSELS! I could eat two dozen of them by myself and not blink an eye, and then take the remainder of the crusty bread and finish sopping up the saucy goodness. And yes, I will slap your hand if you try to take my bowl before I’m done…fair warning LOL! Totally not my fault though, they’re just so stinking GOOD!