Cantucci {Tuscan Biscotti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts | 14 comments

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 ; )

Biscotti al Cioccolato {Chocolate Biscotti}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Cookies, Desserts, Vegetarian | 34 comments

I LOVE these cookies! Biscotti in Italian means twice baked. Which is the perfect name because you bake these crunchy little dunking machines two times! Biscotti, pronounced Bis-skot-e is the plural of Biscotto (one Cookie) & hello who can only eat one of these things? Certainly not me. There are a GAZILLION things you can put inside your Biscotti and part of the fun is coming up with new flavor combinations. Almond is one of the most traditional. I had full intentions on making a Chocolate Almond Biscotti but HELLO someone ate all the almonds in my pantry without telling me. UFFA. Needless to say the Walnut combination worked fabulously as well.

Bombolini alla Nutella {Nutella filled Doughnuts}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Breakfast, Desserts, Nutella, Vegetarian | 63 comments

These are THE most delicious little balls of pillowy, chocolaty, hazelnut goodness! I wish you could smell them. The dough is intoxicating. Even before you take a bite you’re sucked in to their magnetic forcefield. Seriously. THAT. good.

Torta di Noci {Nut Cake}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 34 comments

Torta di Noci, prounounced Tore-tah d No-chi is simply a Nut Cake, Nutty Cake, Cake with Nuts. Call it what you will, it’s DEE-VINE! This is a cake that I personally will be making for Thanksgiving this year (yes, my Mom will be making her infamous Apple Pie too).

It’s a cross between a Pecan Pie & a Coffee Cake & is simply SCRUMPTIOUS. I have made it, count them, two days in a row this week already (see what I do for you, my most favorite people in the world, to test it again & again & keep shooting until I get that shot, THE shot) and there’s not a crumb left. Yes, Yes, I LOVE IT! No two ways about it.

Mom’s Apple Pie – Apron String’s Article Paula Deen.Com!

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

Okay, you KNOW I’m doing my happy dance so I don’t have to tell you that. But I will say that I’m so OVER THE MOON STINKIN HAPPY to be able to share with you my FEATURED article on PAULADEEN.COM! It’s up all this week so be sure to stop by & of course leave some comment love!

It’s a recipe that’s near & dear to me. It’s my Mom’s Apple Pie! And I’ve had this every year for as long as I can remember, and HELLO it’s just in time for Thanksgiving too! It’s something that I don’t go without EVAH on Thanksgiving. Something about your Mom’s cooking. I know there are a gazillion apple pie recipes out there but for me there is just one. THIS ONE. My Momma’s!

The Nutella Challenge – Frozen Banana/Nutella Pops dipped in Coconut

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Nutella | 42 comments

Yes, it’s that time again. One of my favorite postings for each month is the Nutella Challenge. This is our 4th installment. You can catch all of the insanely delicious previous entries here (1st Set, 2nd Set, 3rd Set) Our participants have done an amazing job each month. Be sure to stop by their blogs & say hello! Every month I say, no way are they going to get any better than this, & HELLO they do! I’m so thankful to have so many more ways to enjoy one of life little pleasures NUTELLA!

Torta al Cacao {Chocolate Cake}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 67 comments

Torta al Cacao {Tore-ta all K-Cow} brings back so many fond memories for me. I can’t tell you how many times I ate it in Italy. It seems it was on the table of every birthday celebration I attended. So simple, but so elegant.

But fear not, you don’t have to wait for a birthday to bake one. Oh no, to me it’s the quintessential un-birthday cake! I LOVE this cake.

Crostata di Mele {Apple Tart}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 62 comments

I LOVE Crostatas & this is one of my favorites. Crostata di Mele is an {Apple Tart} You pronounce it Crow-sta-ta d May-lay. Or just Delicious will do!

Nutella Creme Brulee’

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Nutella | 76 comments

It’s that time again! I know I can hardly contain myself. I think about this Challenge ALL month. I’ve had a million different ideas floating through my head trying to decide what to make. And, believe it or NOT, I didn’t decide until late Wednesday night what to do! Are you ready? I know I am! Tee hee, I know such a tease but I’ll get to it in just a sec! Mwah.

Bruiser’s Birthday Cake(s)!

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 76 comments

This past Saturday my little man, aka Bruiser (NO, that’s not really his name but YES it’s his nickname) turned 3 years old! That’s him with his piercing blue eyes, sweet smile & chubby cheeks. Ah, he just melts my heart! I know, I know just can’t help it! I Lurve him & I think he’s just fab (as are his big brother, aka Middle Man, & his big sister, Ms. Priss… who in case they’re looking at this post, will naturally be making their blog debuts shortly. Patience my pretties. Mwah!)

Pesche al Forno {Baked Peaches}

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Vegetarian | 42 comments

Aren’t these gawgeous? It’s a simple & elegant Italian dessert called Pesche (pez-kay) al Forno (four-no). It’s Italian for Peaches in the oven or alla Americana would be baked Peaches.

This is an incredibly beautiful dish & oh so easy to pull together. If you’ve got company coming it’s perfect. You can even prepare everything ahead of time & just pop it into the oven as soon as dinner starts. The smells coming from the oven will have them squirming in their seats. Do be sure to let them cool just a bit before serving. Resist the temptation or trust me you’ll have burnt tongues on your hands.

Pesche Gratinate {Peaches au Gratin}

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

Can I tell you how GOOD this is? My original Italian recipe called for Apricots, but I couldn’t find any the day I wanted to make this, and Peaches are still readily available, so I opted for Peaches. Equally delicious, but I do love some Apricots (so if you’ve got Apricots, use ‘em by all means). Pesche Gratinate translates to Peaches au Gratin but I’d say this was more of a Peaches N Cream recipe than a Peaches au Gratin but that’s what the recipe that was passed on to me called it – so, I’m rolling with it. It’s my blog after all! Tee hee!

Nutella Challenge – Chocolate Torte with Nutella Mousse & Raspberries

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Bread, Desserts, Nutella, Seafood | 40 comments

Are you ready? I know I am! Well ready or NOT, here is the 2nd installment of the Nutella Challenge! Last month there were some ah-mazing offerings. I hope you’ve had a chance to try a few of them out. If not, here’s the link where you can find them: Nutella Challenge ~ Round 1 So without further ado, I present to you my THREE LAYERED MINI CHOCOLATE TORTE WITH NUTELLA MOUSSE & RASPBERRIES (what a name LOL such a mouthful, yikes)….are you drooling? Well you should be.

Rustic Blueberry Turnover

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 19 comments

I love dessert. (No surprise there with my wicked sweet tooth & I’m absolutely amazed to say that I am cavity free even with the insane amount of sugar I eat – tee hee.) I’m just not a big fan of slaving all day for it! Here’s where my turnover comes in!

This is one of the easiest desserts you can make. Blueberries are in season right now & are the perfect addition to this turnover but don’t feel you have to be limited to it. You could try peaches, strawberries, plums…oooh even cherries! Go ahead, get creative!

Grilled Peaches & Cream

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 18 comments

This time of year peaches are everywhere! And, as a good Georgia girl I felt it necessary to throw in a peach recipe. I always try to take advantage of the fruits & veggies that are in season & before these peaches start to fade away until next summer, I thought I’d share my favorite way to enjoy them! Grilled!

They’re incredibly luscious & juicy when you throw them on a grill (or grill pan, as in my case). You’re welcome to do these on your grill – I just like the ease & convenience of my grill pan. Plus, I seem to be able to control my grill marks a little better inside. *wink wink*

The Nutella Challenge – Nutella Gelato!

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Nutella | 39 comments

I am NUTTY for NUTELLA! Seriously people, Nutella makes me nutty & I’m not ashamed to admit it. LOL!

I have been eating Nutella for over 20 years and never ever get tired of it and don’t imagine I ever will. Last month I posted my Strawberry Nutella Panino and was overwhelmed with the amount of love it received! So many of you commented, emailed & twitted with me about your love for Nutella! Hard to believe a little jar like that could contain such incredible, finger licking goodness (oh yes, you know you dip your finger in the jar too! LOL) isn’t it. All that love got me thinking.

So, I came up with an idea for a monthly Nutella posting to feed my Nutella habit & hopefully yours and The Nutella Challenge was born!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 27 comments

Today is my birthday! Yeah! And because we’re such good friends I’m sharing with you my most FAVORITE special thing to have on my birthday — RED VELVET CAKE! Not just any red velvet cake mind you, my Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake. Okay fair warning, I’m going to get a little sappy here, but hey it is my birthday after all. I’ll try not to do this too often.

Homemade Strawberry Gelato

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 20 comments

Ah, GELATO! NO, it’s not ice cream! It’s gelato (pronounced gel-lot-o)! There is a difference. The taste, the texture, the way it coats your mouth! From the minute I had my first one in Italy oh so many years ago I’ve been hooked! Something about this creamy mixture just sends tingles over my spine. Love Love Love Love Love it!

I had the amazing pleasure of having a best friend in Italy whose parents owned a Bar/Gelatteria (& no, a bar in Italy, isn’t the same thing as a “bar” in the states). This was a definite perk! I loved hanging out there. Watching, learning, eating (yes lots of eating) & of course helping out!

Baby Banana Bread Bundts

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts, Vegetarian | 38 comments

How cute are these? And, they’re insanely delicious. They start with, what else, overripe bananas! Seems this time of year I always have a lot of way too brown for the kids to even think about eating bananas sitting around. As I hate to throw any food away I try to re-purpose, and with bananas that means it’s time for banana bread!

My banana bread is really light & moist. Love it! Normally I make it into loaves but I wanted to shake things up a bit.

Chocolate Orange Mousse Cups

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Desserts | 27 comments

I am so EXCITED today! I have been wanting to have “company” over to the blog  for a while now. I was waiting on the right time & it has arrived. For our first ever guest post, **drum roll please** I am so happy to introduce you all to KRISTY. My foodie friend & fellow blogger. She has a fabulous food blog called THE WICKED NOODLE. She has created an amazingly decadent & delicious recipe for you all. You’re going to be drooling when you see this one! Please be sure to show her how much we appreciate her stopping by with such a tasty treat by leaving some comment love.