Today I want to share with you a classic Italian recipe: cotechino with lentils. I don’t think there is a single household in Italy that will not serve this dish on New Year’s Eve. It is a huge tradition. Also, lentils are supposed to bring good luck and money in the new year, so we…
Archives for December 2012
ITALIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH WHIPPED CREAM
Italian winters can be really cold. I miss the short days, cosy evenings and heart warming food that we used to have during those cold months. The truth is, it never gets that cold here. One of the special treats we would have in winter was hot chocolate. The Italian hot chocolate is creamy, thick and sinful. …
PORK MEATBALLS WITH PEANUT SAUCE
Thai is one of my favourite Asian cuisines. Believe it or not, there were no Thai restaurants in Milan, at least up until 6 years ago! Some Chinese restaurants would serve some Thai dishes, but they obviously did not have a lot of variety. That’s why, the moment I saw it, I bought this little…
PANETTONE
Merry Christmas everybody! I know you will be very busy in your kitchens today (or at the malls, getting your last minute Christmas shopping done!), but I just could not stop myself from sharing this special recipe with all of you today: Panettone!
GREEN LASAGNE WITH STRACCHINO, ARTICHOKES AND SAUSAGE
When I think of comfort food, the first image that comes to my mind is a plate full of lasagne… no matter how they are made (with a classic beef sauce, with pesto or with any other ingredients), lasagne represent comfort food to me (and the majority of Italians). They are easily going to be…
PISTACHIO AND CARDAMOM SEMIFREDDO WITH ROSE CREAM
Today I want to share with you the recipe for a special dessert. A few weeks ago, my friend Abeer from Cake Whiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of a special project she was working on for Christmas. She asked a few of her favourite bloggers to come up with a Christmas…
BISCOTTI DI FICHI – FIG COOKIES
Today, as part of my series on Regional Italian Cuisines, I want to share with you the recipe for a very traditional Christmas Sicilian sweet: biscotti di fichi. They are made with the same dough and filling of Buccellato (the traditional Sicilian cake I have shared with you last year), but they are a bit…
Marrons Glacés (Candied Chestnuts)
Soft, glossy Marrons Glacés with a delicate vanilla scent and gentle sweetness, slowly infused in syrup, perfect for serving at Christmas or alongside coffee after a special meal.
CHOCOLATE FUDGE
Who doesn’t like chocolate?? Well… I know a couple of people who are not crazy about it, but really… not many, right? When it comes to home-made Christmas gifts, chocolate never fails and I try to always include something chocolatey in my little hampers. This year I made my favourite fudge! I made it for…
Shepherd’s Pie
Thick and savoury, Shepherd’s Pie comes with a rich lamb filling simmered until full of flavour and topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked until golden on top.
Peppa Pig Chocolate Cookies
Peppa Pig Chocolate Cookies are playful piggy delights. The chocolatey dough and cheerful icing always bring giggles to the kitchen and make baking feel like a muddy-puddle moment children love.
CHOCOLATE COOKIES WITH ORANGE AND MINT GLAZE
A little while ago, my friend Diane from Muppys asked me if I wanted to take part to this year’s Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. I checked it out and immediately said yes. The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap brings together food bloggers from around the world in a big cookie swap: you sign up, receive…
SOFT VANILLA & PINK SALT CARAMELS
I made these caramels to give away as presents for Christmas this year. I had wanted to try and make my own caramels for ages, but all the recipes I came across had corn syrup as one of the ingredients and I wasn’t very keen on it… especially since I have never seen it around…
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream
A glass of Homemade Baileys Irish Cream with its creamy chocolate flavour rounds out dessert time and gives you an easy way to finish dinner with something gently sweet.
HOME-MADE CHOCOLATE SYRUP
Today I want to share with you a very easy recipe. I love making at home, food that you would usually buy ready made at the stores. It is often so much tastier and definitely healthier! I actually had to make this for another recipe that called for chocolate syrup, which is an item that…
Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Cups
Bring giggles to little faces with Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Cups. Creamy chocolate panna cotta, crumbly cookies, and sweet fizzy worms turn playtime in a cup into a tasty party treat.
PIZZA FLAVOURED PIGGY BUNS
I saw these piggy shaped buns on Pinterest and I could not get them out of my mind! They look too cute! As the theme of my youngest daughter’s birthday party was Peppa Pig, I thought it would be a good time for me to try and make them! I had so much fun and…
Peppa Pig Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes
Few things brighten a birthday like Peppa Pig Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes. The recipe is easy, the flavours are comforting, and the decorations always make little faces light up.
Peppa Pig Cake
Bring the fun of Peppa Pig to your celebration with this easy Peppa Pig Cake. Simple fondant decorations, bright colours, and a soft sponge make it perfect for every birthday.
GEORGIA’S 3RD BIRTHDAY
On the 1st my youngest daughter turned 3 and I have been quite busy organising her birthday party. This was also the first time that her nonni were physically present for her birthday, so it was even more exciting for everyone! Yes! My parents are visiting us from Italy and we are having a great…
COCONUT CHICKEN TENDERS WITH APRICOT SAUCE
If you like sweet and sour dishes like me, this one will make you drool. I like chicken, but it can get a bit boring and bland… especially chicken breasts or tenders. What I like about this recipe is that it is actually very quick to make and it uses a few ingredients that I…
