Who doesn’t love Cannoli? I mean really! They’re a sweet fried dough filled with a luscious creamy sweetened ricotta filling. *swoon* You all know my weakness for sweets and this is no exception. I literally had to stop myself from eating ALL of them when I made them this week.
Read the rest of this entry »
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)!
Read the rest of this entry »
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!
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!
Last weekend I attended a Macaron class. Not just any Macaron class mind you. A Macaron class taught by Helen of Tartelette. She’s ah-mazing! Have you seen her site? It’s ridiculously beautiful! & well Helen is THE queen of Macarons. So much so I drove all the way to ATLANTA for this class. Yes, I know somewhat crazy but hey, that’s how I roll.
I’m so happy to introduce another fabulous foodie friend of mine to you all. (Well, that is if you don’t already know of her, and if you don’t, you should. She’s ah-some!) I truly believe we could have been separated at birth we have so much in common. I just lurve her I know you will too! Rachael from the evah so terrific La Fuji Mama is our guest this week. *clapping wildly* So, please make her feel welcome (she loves dark chocolate if you’re thinking of getting her a gift - just sayin). She brought us cake for goodness sakes! Mwah thanks Rachael!
I was recently thinking that I have way too many talented friends to be keeping them all to myself, because well that’s stingy! SO because I love you so, I’m going to start sharing (I know you’re going to thank me for it!) So *drumroll please* I would like to introduce you to my VERY talented friend (wait til you see her cakes, cookies, & brownies & well u get the picture), Mrs. DOUGHMESSTIC herself, aka Susan…She never ceases to amaze me or keep me in stitches - yes she’s also hilarious! Be sure to show her some comment love & let her know how much we appreciate her stopping by! Now I’ll stop talking and let you read about this incredible Chocolate Truffle Brownie recipe she came up with just for us…(Do you see that pic? YUM…wiping drool from screen)
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!
Just looking at these cookies makes me happy. They’re so light & airy & of course calorie free - tee hee (well that’s my story & 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*
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 ; )
