Avocado Fries
I am crazy about avocados. They’re creamy and dreamy and I could eat my weight in them. Don’t even get me started on guacamole. I could eat that every single day and be happy. One of my other favorite ways to eat avocados are fried. That’s right. Avocado Fries! They’re crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Add a side of Wasabi Lime mayo and you might not ever want to eat a potato fry again.
read moreHow To Make Fried Cheese {+ Giveaway}
If you’re looking for an appetizer that is sure to please everyone make fried cheese (formaggio fritto). Even those on a diet will gravitate towards these bites of bliss (don’t worry just take the stairs a few extra times). The downside, the platter will disappear faster than you can make them. If you’re having a Super Bowl party this Sunday treat your guests to these. They’ll thank you.
read moreHow to Make Ravioli
This month we celebrate THREE years of our little place here on the internet! Three years of: stirring, chopping, boiling, sauteing, simmering, braising, frying, stuffing, baking, cooking and loving every minute of it. Even the ones where we burned something, and yes it happens. Cooking and taking photographs is so therapeutic for me. I can’t imagine NOT doing either. Besides cooking, and shooting what I’ve loved equally is connecting with all of you. Before I get all sappy and need Kleenex we have some exciting things planned this year and one of those is a monthly homemade pasta series. I’m thrilled to be able to get back to my love of homemade pastas. We’re kicking off with ravioli stuffed with a creamy dreamy RICOTTA cheese filling.
Creamy Butterfly Pasta with Endive
As I mentioned in our last post, we’re working on getting more veggies into our bellies around the bell’alimento house. Leaning towards more balanced meals throughout the week. No need to worry and click away, we’re not getting rid of carbs or sweets. Not at all (did I hear a sigh of relief). I had a slight panic attack just thinking of that. We’re just going to be eating them in moderation. It’s a win win. I still get my carbs and chocolate and nobody gets hurt.
Spaghetti with Kale and Tomato Sauce
Did any of you happen to have any extra pounds just jump on you over the holidays? I looked down and all the sudden my pants were tight. GAH! Tight pants are just not fun. I don’t care who tells you they are. They aren’t! So instead of crying over it I decided to do something about it. I started a little juicing thing. I know right who am I? So if I seem a little crabby you’ll know why ; ) I’m not doing a radical juicing (cause I would end up hurting someone without food food) I’m starting out slowly with one glass in the morning and one later in the day when I’m craving sweets. It’s giving me the extra veggies I need and keeping me full in between “chewing” meals.
The Art of Risotto: Artichoke Risotto
I am a sucker for risotto. Plain and simple I could eat the entire pot. Not a good idea but hey I just don’t think clearly when a bowl/plate is placed in front of me. When it comes to food, good food, I am weak. I admit it. Sometimes you just need to take the stairs instead of the elevator so you can enjoy a bowl of goodness from time to time.
How to Make Italian Hot Chocolate
I am revisiting a post I did way back when I ehem was still knee deep learning about this crazy thing we call blogging . I’m calling a mulligan on this one. It’s perhaps my FAVORITE cold weather drink – Ciccolata Calda (aka Italian hot chocolate, the best hot chocolate in the world) and I think once you’ve tasted it, it will be your favorite too. If you’ve been making something from a packet (and it’s okay you just didn’t know any better – we’re here to help) ditch it and make this instead. You’ll never look back. Guaranteed.
Steak with Shallot, Butter & Balsamic Sauce
Steak is sexy. Yes. It is. There’s nothing like a perfectly cooked piece of melt in your mouth steak. For me that means medium. Not too rare, definitely not too done. Nothing worse than a piece of overcooked meat. If I wanted beef jerky I would have gotten beef jerky (I happen to adore beef jerky just not when I’m craving a melt in your mouth steak). One of my goals for this year is to conquer my fear of the flame, aka grilling.
read more(Hold onto Your Nutella) Top 11 Posts from 2011
{Panzanella}
Happy New Year! Did you make any resolutions? Me, not so much. I’m not much of a resolution girl but I do like to set goals. It speaks to my competitive nature and helps me to stay focused and on track (at least that’s the plan) We have some REALLY big goals for this year (dream big or go home right) and we can’t wait to share them with you. First up, CHRISTY is working a brand new look for this little place we call home. It’s in the middle of a mid life crisis makeover and we’ll have some pretty swanky features coming up that we can’t wait to show YOU. In the meantime it’s only fitting we do a little reflecting back on what YOU fantabulous readers paid the most attention to in 2011!
Rossini – A Classic Cocktail
I adore Prosecco and think that bubbles shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions. Besides sipping prosecco directly from my flute I also like to mix it up into cocktails. Besides the BELLINI one of my favorite bubbly based cocktails is the Rossini! It’s bright, festive and yes tickles your nose a little when you drink it.
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Swiss Panino
In the week after Christmas but before the New Year, I’m a little cooked out. I have to admit, making elaborate meals just isn’t on my radar. I do however need to eat and want something quick and delicious. My go to? PANINI! They’re perfect for lunch and if you add a salad (gah did I just mention salad in two posts back to back, feel my head quick ; 0 ) or a hearty bowl of SOUP and you’re all set.
How To Make Balsamic Vinaigrette
The new year is almost here (gah!) and with the new year comes resolutions and/or goals. Eating more healthy foods (aka loosing a few pounds from the holidays) seems to top most people’s list. Including mine. Salads immediately come to mind. Typically you won’t find me eating many salads. I’m just not a big salad fan. But on the rare occasion I do have one, it has to be dressed with balsamic vinegar. Period.
read moreHow to Make Norwegian Gravlax
This post brought to you by Norwegian Salmon. All opinions are 100% mine.
Living so close to the coast we are definitely seafood lovers. And being so close to the water, we know good seafood when we taste it. We also know when it comes to finding authentic, superior tasting foods, origin really does matters. Today we’re going to focus on one of my favorite fish – salmon. When it comes to salmon, Norway is on top of it’s game.
Zaletti {Polenta Cookies}
I saw those raised eyebrows ; ) Yes you read correctly that says polenta cookies. But just give them a chance, they’re not corn-y at all ; ) They do however have a gorgeous yellow thanks to the polenta. And there’s also grappa and dried fruit involved. Which makes these a must try in my book.
Cheesy Pancetta Panini with Rosemary {Panini al Rosmarino e Formaggio}
Bread, Cheese and Pancetta. What’s not to love right? Put it together and you have this small crunchy ooey gooey bite of bliss that’s been kissed with a smidge of rustic woody rosemary. Yes, it’s pretty fantastic and EASY. It’s a great snack, light lunch or an amazing appetizer.
Fig Tart {Crostata di Fichi}
Isn’t she lovely {yes you’ll be hearing that song all day in your head now…you’re welcome} I made her especially for a brand spankin’ new online food magazine called Foodie Crush. I’m pretty smitten with it and I know you will be too. Heidi, the force behind this gorgeousness put together an incredible collection of recipes, photography and everything you wanted to know about the food bloggers behind them {okay maybe not everything but a lot ; ) }
Roast Pork Loin {Arista al Forno}
To say we’re pretty fond of the pig is an understatement. The pig gives us so many fantastically delicious cuts from: Bacon, to Pork Tenderloin, to Pork Shoulder to well I could go on and on, so it’s only fitting that the pig should be a big deal, right? ; )
Radiatori with Pumpkin Sauce {Radiatori Con La Zucca}
I have a thing for uniquely shaped pastas. Whereas we can always find spaghetti, penne, elbows, ziti, fettucine in our regular markets it’s not everyday that we come across radiatori and others like it. I always find fantastic pasta selections at World Market . For the record, World Market doesn’t know who I am {well okay I do have a rewards card so I’m guessing SOMEONE over there has my name and number on file} which means that they have given me zilch in exchange for mentioning them. I just happen to LURVE them and spend way too much moo-lah in the store ; )
read moreScalloped Potatoes {Patate alla Besciamella}
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.
read moreChocolate Amaretto Panna Cotta
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.
Welcome to my cucina! To see what we're cooking up in the Family Kitchen click HERE |
    
 |
|
|
Featured Links
Free Updates:
