Sausage Stew

Hey Everybody! I know I haven't been on here as often as I used to, but this is a busy period, that will be followed by an amazing vacation to Italy, from where I will post some delicious recipes! YAY! So stay tuned! Today I wanted to show you a delicious dish that my friend Connie has been so nice to share with me... yummo!!!!

Ingredients:

Hot and Sweet Sausage
Mixed colour bell peppers
Onions
Garlic
Olive oil
Seasoning
Sugar
Tomato Sauce
Sweet buns (Hawaiian rolls)

Start by browning the sausage in a pan with the olive oil, peppers and onions. Cut the sausage and put it in the Slow cooker along with a can of tomato sauce, the veggies, sugar, and seasoning. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Ham & Cheese Salty Pie - Torta Salata di Spinaci e Prosciutto Cotto

Hey Everybody!

I apologize for not posting my recipe quit often like I used to do, but these past few months have been pretty hectic!
Here I am now, and I wanted to share this delicious recipe for a very quick, but satisfying meal! This delicious salty pie has ricotta, spinach and ham as the main ingredients, but of course feel free to change the recipe to your taste!

Ingredients:

Puff pastry
onions
spinach
ricotta (400 gr)
ham
eggs
cheese
parmesan cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper

Start by sauteeing in a pan, olive oil, onions, spinach, ham. Add ricotta cheese, regular cheese and 1 egg to the mixture. Spread your puff pastry sheet and pour the filling inside. Put some slices of your favorite cheese on top. Decorate the top with the remaining of your excess puff pastry. Brush the top pastry with some egg yolk to get the golden effect. There you have it! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!!

Sublime Rosted Potatoes

Here is my recipe for oven roasted potatoes!

Ingredients:

4 or 5 large potatoes
rosemary
olive oil
garlic or garlic powder
salt
pepper
onions
hot pepper

Peel and Cut the potatoes into 1 inch cubes. In a big bowl mix well the cut potatoes with all the ingredients. Bake at 400 Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Won Ton Wrapper Cups

As you all know, I love new finger food appetizers ideas. This is why I am going to share this great recipe with you!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) package wonton wrappers
• 1 pound sausage or ground beef
• 1 cup shredded  cheese (I used simply slices)
• Onions
• Extravergin Olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a miniature muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. Insert wonton wrappers into the muffin pan so as to form small cups. Bake 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow the baked wrappers to cool.
3. In a medium pan, sautee the onions, oil, sausage or beef . Sprinkle with your favorite spices. Fill the baked wonton wrapper cups with the mixture. Top with cheese.
4. Bake the filled wonton wrappers 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the cups are golden brown. Watch closely so the wonton wrappers do not burn.  Enjoy!! Your guests are going to love this! Buon Appetito!

Brown Rice with Peppers and Blue Cheese

Here is a quick and healthy way to prepare your next meal!

Ingredients:

Brown Rice
Bell Peppers
Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola
Onions
Extravergin Olive oil
spices

In a pan, bring the water to a boil and cook the rice according to the instructions. In the meantime, in another pan, sauteed the oil, onions, and peppers. Let everything cook until tender. Drain the brown rice and put it in the same pan where the peppers are. Adjust, salt, pepper, and any other spice you might like. Towards the end you can sprinkle your crumbly blue cheese or Gorgonzola on top. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Honey Glazed Carrots

Here is one of my favorite side dishes.


You need:

1 1/2 cups baby carrots
3 Tbsp honey
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Bring the carrots to a boil for 10 minutes, until tender and crisp. Drain carrots and in another pan sauteed the honey, sugar and lemon juice. Place the carrots into the saucepan with the honey mixture and coat well. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Chocolate Torte

Happy Valentine's day to all of you! This year I wanted to try this delicious flour less European chocolate cake (I got the inspiration from the website www.joyofbaking.com).  As you can see from the pictures, this cake will create a light crust on the outside, but it will be moist like a fudge inside.

Ingredients:

6 large eggs, separated

1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

9 ounces (255 grams) semisweet chocolate chopped

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar, divided

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter a 9 x 3 inch (23 x 8 cm) pan or spray with a nonstick cooking spray.

 

Separate the eggs while still cold, placing the egg whites in one bowl and the egg yolks in another bowl. Cover both with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

Meanwhile, melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water.

Place egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer (can also use a hand mixer). Beat on medium high speed until thick and lemon-colored, about 3-5 minutes. (The eggs should have tripled in volume, look thick and soft, and when you lift the beater the mixture falls back into the bowl in a slow ribbon.) Beat in the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture.

In a clean bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula or whisk, fold a small amount of whites into the egg yolk mixture to lighten the batter. Add the remaining egg whites, folding just until incorporated. Do not over mix or the batter will deflate.

Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake the cake for about 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. (During baking the surface of the cake will form a crust which will collapse when the cake is removed from the oven.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. The top of the cake will have become hard with a cracked surface and lots of crumbs. Serve with softly whipped cream. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Happy Hour Snack Idea

In Italy is very common to go out for a happy hour drink before dinner time, we call it "Aperitivo". Depending on which bar you go to, they might serve you different kinds of snack to go with your drink, these snacks can be: mini sandwiches, hot or cold mini appetizers finger food and so on. I decided to show you one of the most common snack that you might find during your aperitivo.

In this picture I was having some green olives, salted peanuts, and some potato chips. Everything paired with a delicious glass of your favorite happy hour drink, and after this... ready for some delicious dinner! Enjoy! Buon Appetito

Carrot Cake

In honor of my Beautiful Sister Tami's Birthday I am going to post this cake recipe! Happy Birthday Tami!!!! I love you!
This dessert is becoming one of my favorites, especially after trying this wonderful version that Mrs. Darlene kindly passed me! Thank you Darlene! This recipe was wonderful!

Ingredients for cake: 

2 1/2 cup self-rising flour          1 1/2 cup oil

2 cups sugar                                 4 eggs, beaten

3 tsp cinnamon                            3 cups grated carrots

2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients.  Pour into 2 or 3 greased and floured cake pans.

Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes.

Ingredients for Frosting: 

  8 oz. cream cheese, softened            2 tsp flour

  1 box powdered sugar                       1 cup pecan pieces

  1 stick butter

Mix butter and sugar.  Add powdered sugar and flour a little at a time. Add pecans last.  Frost cake. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Ciambelline

This is a traditional cookie recipe from my awesome island of Sardinia. We usually make this cookies during the Christmas time of the year.

Ingredients:

4 cups flour
2 tbsp baking powder
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups Lard
6 eggs
Lemon zest of 2 lemons

Start by mixing in a large bowl everything, adding the flour for last. Roll your dough and make double cookies for each shape you pick.... one has to have a hole in the middle, while the other does not (as you can see in the picture).
Bake in the oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Let your cookies cool completely and then start assembling them. Place the cookie without the hole at the bottom, spread it with your favorite jam, nutella, or whatever you like, and then place the cookie of the same shape with the hole on top (As you can see in the picture).
Sprinkle some sugar powder on top and enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Italian Style Pizza

This picture was taken during my visit to my Lovely Island Sardinia, in Italy, last year. I want to share with you one of my favorite toppings on pizza!

This pizza was so yummy! From the restaurant pizzeria "Terra Sarda" in Olbia. On top of my pizza there are some of the best prosciutto slices, arugula leaves ( previously tossed w/ some olive oil, salt and pepper) and shaved Parmesan cheese. Soooo good! You should give it a try! Just go to your bakery or local grocery store, get a ball of pizza dough. Then roll the dough, top it with some tomato sauce, salt, pepper, shredded mozzarella cheese, and the toppings that I described to you in this picture! (These toppings will go on your pizza after the cooking time) Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Chocolate Chip Yum Squares

Hey Y'all! This year I spent my Christmas Vacation in Birmingham, Alabama, and I had many occasions to try some very delicious southern food! The best! Among all of the delicious things I have tried there was one in particular that won my heart. I have to thank Mrs. Darlene for being so nice to pass me this great recipe that I am sure you will all love!

Ingredients:

1 egg, beaten                                        6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter, softened                    1 cup pecan pieces

8 oz. cream cheese, softened            1 cup coconut

1 yellow cake mix(Duncan Hines)   3 eggs, separated

1 box confectioners sugar

With a fork, stir 1 egg, butter, and cake mix.  Press into a 9x13 greased dish.  Using mixer, combine cream cheese, 2 eggs, and confectioners sugar.  Pour over crust.  Mix chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut together.  Sprinkle on top.  Bake at 325 for 55 to 60 minutes.  Cool before cutting. It's so good! You'll know what I mean when you bite into it! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Formagelle

This is another delicious traditional dessert from my gorgeous Island of Sardinia. They are ricotta cheese little cups that just melt in your mouth!

Ingredients for the dough:

4 cups of flour
6 tbsp lard
2 tsp sugar
water (just enough to make it doughy)

Ingredients for the Filling:

16 Oz ricotta cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
Orange or lemon zest
(You can also add some raisins to it if you like)

Roll the dough very thin and cut little rounds. Place a scoop of the filling on each round and pinch the dough with your index and thumb finger to seal it. In a separate bowl beat a yolk and brush the top of each formagella with it. They will look golden and nice in this way. bake in the oven at 350 F for about 20 minutes. Enjoy! Buon appetito!

Peanut Brittle

I made this recipe the other day! I am impressed on how long this candy can last in a tapper ware container outside of the fridge! :)


Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup raw peanuts
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

Combine first 4 ingredients in 2-quart microwave mixing bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 8 minutes, stirring after 4 minutes. Add butter. Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes. Brittle should not get too brown. Stir in vanilla and soda until light and foamy. Spread on buttered baking sheet as thinly as possible. Cool. Break into pieces. Soak mixing bowl in warm  water immediately for easier clean-up. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Papassini

In my first attempt making this traditional Sardinian Christmas cookies I was surprised that they tasted like the ones my Nanny makes! So happy I can have some of my traditional food here in South Florida too!

Ingredients for the cookies:

4 cups of flour
9 Tbsp of Lard
1 cup sugar
3 eggs + 1 yolk (Save the egg whites for the frosting)
1 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins
2 Tbsp baking powder

Ingredients for the Frosting (Cappa):

1 egg white
3/4 cup sugar powder
Decoration sugar

In a bowl mix the lard, flour,eggs, sugar, crushed walnuts, raisins (previously soaked in warm water for 30 minutes and drained), and baking powder at the end.  After creating a nice dough, start rolling your dough in tubes shape, flat their top and cut them in a shape similar to a mashed square as you can see from the picture. Bake in the oven at 365 F for about 12 minutes.

For the frosting, simply whip the egg white and the sugar powder until thick. Coat each cookie with the frosting and top each one with the decoration sugar. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Chicken & Pasta Casserole

A great dish for a winter day is this chicken and pasta casserole.

Ingredients:

Chicken Breast
Spinach
Pasta
1 can of cream of mushrooms
Parmesan Cheese
Bread crumbs
Onions

Sautee the chicken with onions, olive oil, spinach and cream of mushrooms. In another pan boil the pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the chicken and spinach mixture. Pour everything in a greased pan, top with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Bake in the oven  at 350 F for around 20 minutes. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Mitarashi Dango

Being Half Japanese gave me the opportunity of being in contact with the Japanese culture, people, traditions and food. When I was 6 years old I went to Japan several times to visit my Father's family and I fell in love with this delicious desserts, Mitarashi Dango, which is simply rice flour balls dipped in  sweet mitarashi sauce... soo yummy! When biting into them again after 20 years since I had my last one it was like the experience Proust had with his Madeleine... wonderful memories and flashbacks of a very fascinating country. I never thought I could ever make this delicious dessert myself.... but here it is!

Ingredients:

Rice Flour
Corn Starch
Soy Sauce
Sugar
Wooden Skewers
Water

For The Rice balls:
In a bowl mix 1 and 1/4 cup of rice flour with 200 ml of hot water. Knead it until it becomes an elastic dough. Start forming little bite size balls. Boil them, and you will know they are ready when they come up to the top floating. Drain and start creating your skewers by wetting the skewer with water.

For The Mitarashi sauce:
In a saucepan mix 100 ml of water, 2 and 1/2 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp corn starch, and 5 Tbsp of sugar. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Until it reaches the right thick consistency, as shown in the picture.

Finally you can pour the sauce over the rice flour balls.... enjoy your Mitarashi dango! Buon Appetito!

Sardinian Snack

Happy Befana everybody! This picture was taken during a lovely snack, nicely prepared by my Mamy, that I had on the beach of Sardinia with my boyfriend.

Here we have a traditional thin crunchy Sardinian bread called "Carasau", with some homemade salami and pecorino cheese.... best snack ever! So flavorful! You should follow my advice and put Sardinia in your list of places to visit! It will blow your mind away for food, people, stunning beauty of the coast line, and of the inter land little villages! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Whole Wheat Stuffed Tortillas

Happy New year everybody! I really wish for this 2012 to be filled with happiness, health and all the comforts possible! In another of my adventures in my kitchen, looking for some lunch inspiration I came up with this delicious recipe.


Ingredients:

Breaded Eggplants (See my other recipe called "Crispy Eggplants - Melanzane Impanate")
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Hummus
Mozzarella slices

Spread your tortilla with some hummus, place the eggplants and top with some mozzarella slices. You could also add some ham or prosciutto to it! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!