Olive Oil Gelato

Who does not have childhood memories associated with food? Our first birthday cakes, the special treats that grandma used to sneak us, or maybe the first thing we cooked, or attempted to cook? BUT, do you actually remember the first food item you ever purchased on your own? I am talking about that very specific moment when you finally were able to exercise your right to choose, without mom around to judge or suggest; that moment when the little cash floating in you pocket actually was handed out to somebody in exchange for food. What did you buy? Continue Reading…

Tiramisu’

Let’s not be of any disgrace to the common Italian Stereotype, and introduce this recipe for what it is…
Tiramisu’ is the Italian food equivalent of Viagra, and it comes without the risk of the “4 hours” side effect!
Eggs, creamy cheese, sugar, cookies chocolate and coffee; in the right proportions this recipe will keep you going for a few days. Just remember, in case you have kids, to use decaffeinated coffee (or prepare two separate trays of cake)… On adults the effects of this cake are spectacular, on kids however, it would not be excessive to describe them as catastrophic! Continue Reading…

Lemon Brulé Tart

Do you ever wake up with a craving? Do you ever start titillating with the idea of a luxurious dinner, even before taking the first sip of your morning coffee? I usually do. Very often it gives a whole new purpose to the day I am about to live, setting the pace for what I will shop for, when I will start cooking, and also very often it dictates what I will have for lunch… yes, when I plan my family dinners I often find myself starving throughout the day, to make sure that when 7 pm comes around I am ready to literally attack the table. Continue Reading…

Scorze di Arancia al Cioccolato

It’s the holidays, and this year I won’t be able to go back home to Tuscany… and I know, I will terribly miss seeing my grandmother!

It used to be one of our most cherished Christmas celebration to lock ourselves up in the kitchen for a full afternoon, usually a couple of days before the family lunch, and prepare the sweet treats that would accompany the final toast. Our favorite things to prepare have always been Ricciarelli (Siena traditional’ Almond Cookies) and the candied orange peels dipped in dark chocolate. Continue Reading…

Mascarpone Amaretti Cup

Baking is not really my piece of cake!

I do enjoy spending hours at the time in the kitchen, I am ecstatic when I work hard to treat my family and friends to new recipes or to menus that require  undivided attention and a lot of work. Indeed the kitchen has become to me at the same time a safe ground where I nourish my soul but also a fun laboratory where I can let loose and test myself, here and there. Continue Reading…

Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is that kind of dessert that you would expect in any Italian restaurant, it is a stable, a must, something that screams from the menu: “We are Italians over here!”.

It means Cooked Cream and it is something that Debi and I like to share anytime we have the opportunity (the luxury) of dining out in one of our favorite restaurants. Debi likes it with a garnish of chocolate sauce, I personally prefer a berry reduction with a hint of liquor… this said, I always end up stealing some chocolate sauce from her plate! Continue Reading…

Sgroppino with Limoncello Sorbet

Originated in Venice, the Sgroppino is nothing more than a scoop of sorbet drowned in a glass of Prosecco, and it is in Italy a very common summer after dinner dessert. Tradition wants it to be made with lemon, strawberry or raspberries sorbet, but Debi and I were in the mood for something special; we needed to add our Super Tuscan twist to this recipe, so we created the very first ever Limoncello Sorbet. Limoncello is usually considered a finished product, but in this recipe our home brewed liquor becomes one of the needed ingredients. Continue Reading…

Organic Cupcakes

Two notes about my cupcake philosophy: More cupcakes, less icing!
First. Kids need to know that cupcakes are good, regardless of the color of the icing…
I cannot count how many kids I have seen digging their faces into their blue fluffed out cupcakes’ icing, and actually never making it to the actual dough. I call it the icing tantrum…it happens almost immediately!!!

Ricotta Pancakes

I never had pancakes in Italy. Please, my mom never made me pancakes! But now I have three girls at home, and I have to. My first approach was the powder mix, which is easy and quick, but a little too easy, you know?. You want to spend some time making breakfast for your family and really make something special. This recipe is extremely simple, so try it for your family and you’ll never go back to the powder!