Scalloped 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.
Sausage Crostini {Crostini con Salsiccia} + Blog for a Cause
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}
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!
read moreSugar Cookies {Befanini}
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}
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}
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}
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}
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.
read moreSavory Frittata {Frittata Aromatica}
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 ; )
read moreEggplant Lasagna {Lasagne con Melanzane}
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.
read moreStuffed Zucchini {Zucchine Ripieni}
This is a quick and easy vegetarian option for your zucchini. It only takes about 30 minutes to cook and is extremely versatile. It makes a great light lunch, sliced up into sections it’s a great appetizer or beef it up with a soup and salad for a nice dinner! Or hey, it’s even a great side dish. Any way you serve it it’s good and it’s good for you.
Pumpkin Cake {Torta di Zucca}
Have you noticed an abundance of PUMPKIN recipes floating around the blogosphere? Well I have and I LURVE it. We’re big pumpkin fans in our house and any excuse for me to make something with pumpkin is cause for celebration. I stock up on pumpkin puree in the market when I see it. You can absolutely make your own, and I do, but having a few cans on hand to bake with when the urge hits me is always a good thing.
Potato Pizza {Pizza alle Patate}
Now that we’ve shared HOW TO MAKE PIZZA DOUGH you must have known there were going to be MORE pizza recipes right ; ) And why not, it’s pizza. Everyone loves pizza! I know we do. You’re in for a treat with this potato pizza. Yes POTATO! Not just any potatoes, purple potatoes! Look at that gorgeous color! They’re not only a pretty face, oh no, they pair beautifully with sweet Italian sausage, fresh rosemary and cheese. Glorious cheese. Go ahead and get your grocery list ready, you’ll want to make this. Trust. Me.
Butternut Squash Soup {Crema di Zucca}
Crema di Zucca {Cream of Pumpkin Soup} is a simple, wonderful oh so creamy and velvety fall/winter soup. So much so, you won’t believe how incredibly easy it is to pull together. A little peeling, a little chopping a little simmering, a whirl in the blender and Voila! You’ll be dunking your spoon at warp speed into this bowl of bliss. So next time you see those gorgeous gourds in the market be sure to pick them up so you can make this!
How to Make Pizza Dough
It should come as no surprise that I fell in love with GOOD pizza while living in Italy. Did you know that all you need to make your own pizza dough are 5 simple ingredients. I’m betting you probably already have them in your pantry. If you have a stand mixer it will take you about 10 minutes to pull this pizza dough together. Then you walk away while it does it’s thing. It doesn’t get much easier than that. The hardest part will be deciding what you’re going to top your pizzas with, and in case you’re having a hard time deciding we have a few recipe suggestions for you.
Prugne al Vino {Plums Poached in Wine}
Simple is almost always better. At least I think so. Simple suppers, simple desserts, simple pleasures. Today we have a simple dessert that is certain to please. We’re poaching beautiful seasonal plums in wine with spices. It’s easy peasy and you can make this in less than 15 minutes. So there are really no excuses NOT to enjoy dessert ; )
Tartine alla Pizzaiola {Pizzaiola Tartines}
These tartines are an elegant and easy appetizer that you can pull together in nothing flat. It makes use of simple sandwich bread {perfect for that bread that might be a little on the stale side} and a few other ingredients that I’m betting you probably have on hand. And if you don’t you probably have something that would substitute nicely. I think it’s pretty fantastic you can make something so elegant out of everyday white sandwich bread!
Penne with Olives {Penne con Olive}
Did you know that October was National Pasta Month! Not that I need an excuse to make pasta or anything ; ) But since it is we should be celebrating! Today we’ve whipped up an oldie but goodie. A favorite from my childhood. Penne con Olive is simply Penne Pasta in a creamy tomato and olive sauce. The kicker in the sauce, Greek yogurt! I love a touch of tang.
Ravioli in Bianco {Ravioli with Garlic Cream Sauce}
If you have 15 minutes then you can make this meal. It’s perfect for a lunch or a light dinner. You will want to make sure you have bread. The sauce beckons for it. It demands it. And you’ll want some mints nearby too. Trust me on that one.
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