Scalloped Potatoes {Patate alla Besciamella}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Sauces, Sides, Vegetarian | 189 comments

What is it about white foods that I just HAVE to have them.  Pasta, rice, bread, POTATOES. You name it, they’re my kryptonite. Perhaps it’s their delicious carby starchy goodness that sucks me in. At one point I foolishly tried to cut out white foods from my diet and guess what, it was UGLY. For the sake of everyone else, of course, I immediately went back to consuming them again.

Chocolate Amaretto Panna Cotta

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 22 comments

Panna Cotta is on of life’s simple pleasures. Next to Tiramisu it’s my favorite dessert. Once you have the basic recipe down the flavors are just about endless. In fact we’re well on our way to creating an entire category devoted solely to panna cottas. We’ve made: Pomegranate Panna Cotta,  Limoncello Panna Cotta, Nutella Panna Cotta, and of course basic Vanilla Panna Cotta. 

Sausage Crostini {Crostini con Salsiccia} + Blog for a Cause

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Appetizer, Pork | 59 comments

If you’re looking for a simple yet scrumptious appetizer I have one for you!  When it comes to appetizers crostini are my go to, especially in a crunch. Everyone loves them, and why not they’re delicious, very filling and bonus points for being extremely economicable {well that’s unless you’re topping yours with white truffles and obviously since I’m not rolling in the dough we’re not ; ) }

Braised Pork with Rosemary and Mushrooms {Arrosto con il Rosmarino}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pork | 526 comments

I could tell you how incredibly insanely delicious that braised pork roast is in the photo. OR how I used it to make not one but three meals. But I know you see that gorgeous cassis Le Creuset in the photo and you see giveaway in the title and now you’re heart is beating a little faster and you’re just not thinking clearly. It’s not your fault. It is Le Creuset after all. So I’m just going to get right to it. Christmas is coming a little early for someone. ONE lucky bell’alimento reader is going to WIN one of those for her {or him} self!

Sugar Cookies {Befanini}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts, Sponsored | 6 comments

The holidays are my favorite time of year. I look forward to them with childlike anticipation every year. Baking is a big part of the holidays for me {and I’m guessing for a lot of you too}. Sometimes my crazy schedule gets in the way but I don’t let it stop me from making delicious and simple recipes to share with my family and friends {that does of course depend on how nice they’ve been ; )}

Mushroom and Potato Casserole {Torta di Funghi e Patate}

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

I have a gazillion leaves falling all over my yard in every color of the fall rainbow. I adore watching them floating in the air until they gently find their way to ground with the other gazillion leaves {that part I don’t love so much because someone has to get those up} What do all these leaves have to do with food you ask? Well leaves mean Fall and fall means comfort food, casseroles and calories. Two out of three ain’t bad right ; ) Okay let’s go with cardigans instead.

Back to Basics: How to Make Bechamel Sauce {Besciamella}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Sauces, Vegetarian | 19 comments

We’ve been making a lot of macaroni and cheese lately. All kinds of versions. The one constant for my macaroni and cheese is the base.  Besciamella {or bechamel sauce}. It’s rich, creamy and dreamy and is my secret for making dishes sing.

Burgundy Butter {Burro alla Bourguignonne}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Gluten Free, Vegetarian | 13 comments

There’s something about butter, and bacon for that matter, that make everything taste so much better. I think it’s safe to say that I’m pretty smitten with butter, or buttah as we affectionately refer to it around here. For me I prefer it unsalted. I like to control the amount of salt. And more than that it needs to be a good quality butter.

Lemon Marinade {Marinata al Limone}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Gluten Free, Sauces, Sponsored, Vegetarian | 8 comments

This post brought to you by Carapelli. All opinions are 100% mine.

Something I ALWAYS have in my pantry is a good quality olive oil. I don’t think there is a day that goes by that I don’t cook/use my olive oil. Do you know that there is actually a right way to taste olive oils? Well there is and I learned all about it recently.

Savory Frittata {Frittata Aromatica}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Breakfast, Sponsored | 14 comments

We love Eggs in our house. They’re economical, extremely versatile and delicious! They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. You can’t say that about too many ingredients can you ; )

Eggplant Lasagna {Lasagne con Melanzane}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Main Course, Pasta, Vegetarian | 21 comments

It’s officially COLD here. Have I ever mentioned that I’m not a cold weather kinda girl? Or a morning person but that’s a whole nother story. When the temperature drops below 60 degrees {I know I’m a light weight but I live in the South and that is COLD to me LOL} It’s time to light the fireplace and fire up the oven. One of the the first things I like to make is Lasagna. When I want something  heavy, hearty and filling my go to is my LASAGNE ALLA BOLOGNESE. When we want something on the lighter side we make this fantastic vegetarian eggplant lasagna.