We bought some cheese…

Well folks, the time has finally arrived! Tony and I have begun the sometimes arduous, but always incredible adventure that we’ve talked and dreamed of for more than 30 years: the Sicily house renovations have begun! I will chronicle our journey as we go, but will start off with a few pictures. First off, Sicily…

Calling all Cha…

Calling all Character[s into question] “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ― Maya Angelou My cooking camarade and friend extraordinaire, Renee Thomas, once shared a children’s poem on her Facebook page… The Crayon Box That Talked.  What a beautiful message this collection…

Truffle Brownies

    These incredible delights are so rich, you only need to serve a 1 x 1 inch square… dressed up with some whipped bourbon cream with vanilla bean and strawberries, you’ve got a lovely dessert. v 1 1/4 c butter 3/4 c Dutch cocoa 6 oz good quality dark chocolate, chopped 2 T water…

Going to the Birds… and the Hippo, and the Rhinoceros

Animal Crackers     Shirley Temple ~ you will be missed!   Animal Crackers by Christopher Morley. “Animal crackers and cocoa to drink, That is the finest of suppers I think; When I’m grown up and can have what I please I think I shall always insist upon these. What do YOU choose when you’re…

Polpette & Busiate

There are hundreds of cuisines in Italy, not to mention the regional specialties. Then of course you have family secrets ~ the one thing you won’t find, spaghetti and meatballs. Oh, you can have a rich red wine-laced tomato sauce to dip the polpetti, or find miniature versions, almost like the Italian version of […]…

Polpette & Busiate

  There are hundreds of cuisines in Italy, not to mention the regional specialties. Then of course you have family secrets ~ the one thing you won’t find, spaghetti and meatballs. Oh, you can have a rich red wine-laced tomato sauce to dip the polpetti, or find miniature versions, almost like the Italian version of…

Buona Pasqua

History of Pane di Pasqua Bread has a religious significance on the Italian Easter table, for Christ is often referred to as “the bread of life.” Hand-fashioned egg-decorated breads vary from region to region in Italy and go by many different names. But the commonality of baking whole eggs twisted or braided into bread is…

Mel’s Magic Meat

      Yes, Mel’s Magic Meat ~ not to be confused with Magic Mike, as several things have yet to be verified… his dancing! I’m referring ONLY to his dancing! Sheesh! All kidding aside, Mel is the active duty Guy-In-Charge at the Airman & Family Readiness Center where I volunteer.  He is a self-professed…

kindness & chocolate

Hot Chocolate Sponge Pudding with Mocha Sauce Sponge 1 stick unsalted butter 1 1/4 c sugar 1/2 c cocoa 4 medium eggs, slightly beaten 2 1/2 c flour splash of milk Sauce 4 T good quality instant coffee or 3 T espresso powder 4 T cocoa 1/2 c sugar 1 1/4 c boiling water Preheat…

mandorla

Paese che vai, usanza che trovi biscotti di mandorle           ciao a tutti! oggetto del tema di oggi è biscotti ~ che delizioso, biscotto croccante vedrete nonni e bambini, inzuppare nel loro bevanda preferita … oh, I’m sorry ~ I forgot my audience is primarily English speaking!  Anyway, as I was…

its time to make the doughnuts…again

Yes, it’s another post about doughnuts ~ but really, how cute is this little morsel?  I have searched and searched for a doughnut pan (baked [healthier] doughnuts) for quite some time.  I know I could have easily found one online in about a nano second, but I really don’t make time/spend time/money on me or…