Who doesn’t love little edible pillows filled with creamy goodness {aka Ravioli}? You can fill them with just about whatever your heart desires. And yes even though I could eat them in their natural naked state and be quite content, my favorite way is to drizzle them with the most simple of sauces - a butter and sage sauce! Yes, that amazingly aromatic butter sauce so silky it just slides right over your tongue! mmmh swoon! Yes, food is sexy people! I keep telling you this! LOL Read the rest of this entry »

This is the quintessential Italian appetizer to me. It’s just amazing and I never tire of it. I always get a little giddy when melon season is upon us because I KNOW it’s time for Prosciutto e Melone! The sweet cantaloupe, the sexy and salty Prosciutto, the tang of the mint and then the balsamic. Mamma Mia!    Read the rest of this entry »

Ah, sweet summertime! So along with the blistering heat that we’re already experiencing here in the South East comes the need for all things cold and refreshing! And that of course means GELATO! Yes, go ahead and prepare yourself for the barrage of gelato and sorbet recipes that are going to be coming your way. It’s inevitable! Read the rest of this entry »

You all know how much I love a nice plate, bowl or hey I’d even eat it in a cup LOL of PASTA! It satsifys me down to my soul. And when you add a creamy luxurious MUSHROOM sauce just *swoon* I know, it doesn’t take much LOL. This dish is NO exception. It’s full of veggies too so no need to feel guilty about indulging. Not that I ever feel guilty about it though : )  Read the rest of this entry »

Now that we’ve conquered Mascarpone it’s on to RICOTTA! Dare I say, this is even easier than the Mascarpone! I don’t think I’ll ever be buying either one of these cheeses at the store again LOL. Who knew! It’s so SIMPLE! And the taste, oh my GOODness! It’s so ah-mazing warm from the sieve, oh my oh my! Yes, you know I couldn’t resist taking a litte taste test! Read the rest of this entry »

Arancini alla Siciliana are a luscious crunchy & creamy little round treat! It simply translates to Sicilian Croquettes {or as I like to call them…just rice balls} They can be enjoyed as an appetizer {just make them a tad smaller} or as a full meal and depending on where in Italy you eat your Arancini the fillings vary as well. The ones I’ve prepared here are oozing with fresh melted Mozzarella and incredbily flavorful beef! *swoon*

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What is that you ask? Why no, it’s not a bustier, it’s a BLINDFOLD. And now you’re asking WHAT is a blindfold doing leading off my post? Well I had this crazy little idea for a dinner party {my friends will tell you this is how all my ideas start out LOL}. Dinner in the Dark. Yes, that’s right! The DARK! I wanted to blindfold my guests and take them on a true sensory eating experience! Not your typical dinner party is it ; )  Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the Cheese Chronicles! Yes, my cheese chronicles. I ADORE cheese and it’s about time I started making it myself! I’m starting out with the softer cheeses and will work my way up to the hard cheeses {I’m even trying to convince hubs that we need a Cheese Room in the house, I’ll keep you posted on that one LOL} I thought melt in your mouth Mascarpone would be a good start! Ah, I could seriously just eat this out of the container with a spoon. It’s so light, creamy, luscious.. .ah AND EXPENSIVE! Yes, stinkin expensive! Well no more will you have to pay $5, $6 or even more for the smallest container at the grocery {or in my case I have to go to a specialty store}…NOPE!  Read the rest of this entry »

Pssst… this is my very FIRST Daring Baker’s Challenge evah so BE NICE ; ) You all know I’m not much of a baker so this is really taking me WAY out of my comfort zone, which hopefully will end up being a good thing. Vediamo ; ) The May 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Cat of Little Miss Cupcake. Cat challenged everyone to make a piece montée, or croquembouche, based on recipes from Peter Kump’s Baking School in Manhattan and Nick Malgieri.  Read the rest of this entry »

If this doesn’t scream warm weather I don’t know what does! Isn’t she purty? And so festive! Not only can it serve as a stunning centerpiece it’s a juicy, luscious tasty treat! This is NOT your ordinary fruit salad though! Oh no! This perfectly coiffed pineapple is packed with a little punch! Read the rest of this entry »