Pimm's Cocktail

This was my first summer here in the UK 2013!

I got really lucky cause apparently last year they had a miserable summer here, but this year it was simply gorgeous! During this amazing time I had the occasion to experience one of  British summer traditions: Pimm's!

This delicious recipe is a mixed drink with real fruit, cucumber and mint... so yummy and refreshing!

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• Pimms, No. 1
• Lemonade
• Handful fresh mint, roughly chopped
• Cucumber, finely chopped
• Slices of orange
• Strawberries

Just mix everything together filling up a jug and enjoy on your summer parties! 

And yeah, this one below it's me enjoying my Pimm's! ;-)

Plokkfiskur (Icelandic Fish Pie)

I have recently visited one of the most fascinating countries in the world... Iceland.

With its myths, legends, fairy tales, delicious food and breathtaking landscapes, Iceland definitely conquered a piece of my heart.

The magical atmosphere that you experience in Iceland is something that words can not explain. During my first day in Reykjavick i went on a mission... to find the best traditional cafe in town. I found Cafè Loki. An amazing cafe just by the famous city church.

I decided to try a very traditional Icelandic dish, The icelandic Fish pie. It was simply to die for!!!

-Ingredients:

1 1/4lbs cod, halibut or haddock

1 1/4lb potatoes, boiled and peeled 

1 white onion

12 oz milk

2 oz butter

3 tbsp flour

salt and pepper 

2 tablespoons chives, freshly snipped to add color, flavor & garnish 

-Directions: 

1. Skin, bone & break up the fish into flakes.

2. Roughly chop potatoes & finely chop onion.

3. Slowly heat milk in a saucepan almost to a boiling point.

4. While the milk is heating, in a medium to large sized non-stick saucepan, melt butter & saute onion over medium-heat until soft. Do not allow it to brown.

5.Sprinkle flour over onion, stir well & cook for 1-2 minutes. 

6.Gradually add warmed milk, stirring continuously. Simmer for 3-4 min, stirring often.

7.Add flaked fish & stir briskly to break up the fish flakes completely. Season liberally w/salt & pepper.

8.Add potatoes & stir gently. Cook over low-heat till heated through.

9. Spoon into 4 bowls & sprinkle each serving with 1/2 tbsp chives. Serve hot w/dark rye bread & butter.

Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Strawberry Tiramisu

This is a delicious spin to your classic Tiramisu recipe.
In Italy we have several variations of Tiramisu and the strawberry one is definitely one of my favorites!

Here is how you make it:

500 grams of lady fingers

500 grams of strawberries

3 eggs

125 grams of sugar

250 grams of mascarpone

200 ml whipping cream

Ingredients for the strawberry syrup:

200 grams of strawberries

100 grams of sugar

300 ml of water

2 tablespoons limoncello (optional)

Begin to prepare the syrup by blending the strawberries with sugar.

Add water and lemon and put it in a saucepan and boil until it thickens, turn off and let cool.

Start now to prepare the mascarpone cream ... separate the yolks from the whites and whipping cream in a bowl .

Whip the egg yolks with the sugar, add the mascarpone.

Add the egg whites and cream previously whipped.

Gently mix the mascarpone cream and put it in the fridge.

Dip the ladyfingers in the cooled strawberry syrup and arrange them at the base of your pan. 

Pour a layer of mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers .

Cover the cream with strawberries cut into slices leaving aside 1/3 for the top decoration .

Cover with another layer of ladyfingers soaked in strawberry syrup .

Finish with a layer of mascarpone cream .

Decorate with strawberries that have kept aside and refrigerate everything for at least 3 hours.

And there you have it! Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

Ham & Veggies Pasta Bake

Hello everyone!
I must apologize to all my readers since I have been gone for so long... many changes happened to my life and I even moved continent, infact I am now writing to you from the UK.
During these past few months I have been gathering lots of pictures of new recipes to share with you all!
Enough chatting now... let's get started with this delicious heartwarming dish!

-Ingredients
500 gr Pasta (whichever shape you like)
2 big Broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper
Extravergin olive oil
Breadcrumbs
1 onion
1 heavy cream carton (or Double cream)
Grated parmesan
Ham cutted into cubes
Grated mozzarella cheese
Salt & Pepper


In a pan, sautee the onions with olive oil, broccoli and bell pepper. All the veggies need to be cut in small pieces. When all vegetables are super tender add the ham and brown it for a couple of minutes. Now add the heavy cream, salt and pepper. In the meantime boil the pasta according to the time indicated on the package. When the pasta is al dente (which means ready but not too soft) pour it in the pan with the condiment and mix it all together. Prepare a good size oven pan and oil the base. Pour the mix with the pasta, sprinkling to each layer some mozzarella and parmesan cheese. When it is full, top it off with a final layer of cheese and breadcrumbs. Leave in the oven at 160 degree Celsius for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

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!