EASY CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU

SHRIMP Vol au Vent These puff pastry baskets are better known as vol au vent, which literally means flying in the wind. A name that immediately makes you understand the lightness of this puff pastry wrap made of several overlapping layers and then baked in the oven. Even if you would not say the basic […]

OCTOPUS and POTATO SALAD italian recipeFinally a soft octopus that melts in your mouth.One of my favorite dishes is the octopus salad with potatoes.A classic appetizer that is also an excellent single dish.It is not always easy to get soft meat.When I was a child my father fished them and threw them on a rock […]

PUMPKIN HUMMUSThere are beautiful pumpkins this season.I love this vegetable because it is good but also beautiful for decoration.Perfect for creating hallowen lamp. However, it is necessary to empty. I have found so many ways to use pumpkin pulp, but my favorite is PUMPKIN HUMMUS.Hummus is a very versatile Middle Eastern preparation perfect for buffets […]

Savory PUMPKIN CAKEPumpkin pie isn’t just a sweet treat.We are approaching the Hallowen period! After you decorate the pumpkin, use its pulp for this delicious savory pieI have served up this savoury pumpkin pie many times.Enjoy pumpkin when it’s cheap and in abundance with this delicious savoury pumpkin pie recipe.Flavorful and tasty, a pie which […]

Italian FOCACCIA BREAD instant recipeFocaccia is an Italian specialty typical of the Liguria Region.Its peculiarity are the “dimples” full of seasoning that make it soft inside but crunchy on the top.The secret to obtaining excellent focaccia bread is to use good extra virgin olive oil, let it rise, brush the surface before cooking with a […]

ORIGINAL Italian LASAGNA recipeThese lasagna are the legendary lasagna with meat sauce that my grandmother prepared on Sundays with a mountain of sauce, béchamel and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese.Every family in Italy jealously guards a recipe, handed down from mother to son. If you fancy traditional cooking, here’s my grandmother’s original recipe!It is […]

Authentic CACIO e PEPE recipeCacio e pepe, symbol of Rome and Roman cuisine, together with Pasta alla Carbonara (click here for Easy CARBONARA recipe) Pasta alla Carbonara. Nobody can resist its creaminess.The ingredients of Cacio e pepe are only 3, as the original recipe: pasta, pecorino romano and black pepper, which must be used in […]

Baked MAC and CHEESE Baked MAC and CHEESE Mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese or simply pasta with cheese, whatever the name you call it, it is an irresistible, creamy and stringy recipe of the American tradition absolutely to be reproduced at home. A soft and creamy first course, characterized by an unmistakable golden crust […]

SEAFOOD PASTA recipe Pasta with SEAFOOD is a seafood first course in which you can savor all the intense flavor of fresh fish. It is pasta, (spaghetti or long pasta) seasoned and creamed in a seafood sauce based on mussels, clams, shrimps, but also squid and scampi. A few tomatoes, oil and fresh parsley complete […]

SPAGHETTI and MEATBALLS original italian recipeI love this dish! It reminds me as a child when my grandmother used to make it for me.There is no one who can resist a plate of spaghetti with meatballs, especially children.It is very easy to prepare.All you have to do is knead the meatballs and cook them in […]

LINGUINE with CLAM SAUCE Pasta with clams (linguine or spaghetti) are one of the typical dishes of our Mediterranean cuisine. Living on the sea I am used to eating them very often, they are exceptional, as well as very easy to prepare. Characterized by a few and selected ingredients able to bring out the unique […]

How to Make Four Cheese GnocchiThis is my family’s favorite dish that we order every time we go to the mountains. We love them! Super creamy and cheesy, impossible to resist. Obviously, being a dish that drives us crazy, I didn’t miss the opportunity to slip into the kitchen of the legendary “Bear’s Den” to […]

SEMOLINA GNOCCHI Roman Style Gnocchi are an ancient first course, prepared with the most varied flours and widespread all over the world. When hearing the word “gnocchi”, most of us will automatically think of the small pillows of potato dough. However, there are many types of gnocchi Today I chose to propose a typical Lazio […]

Sicilian RISOTTO with AUBERGINEThe Sicilian risotto with eggplant “alla NORMA” is one of the most loved traditional Sicilian first courses, delicate and fragrant, a mix of Mediterranean flavors.It is a reinterpretation of the famous Pasta alla Norma prepared with fried aubergines, tomato sauce and salted ricotta, ideal if you are looking for a light recipe […]

Italian creamy PUMPKIN RISOTTOPumpkin risotto a great classic of Italian cuisine based on rice, pumpkin and vegetable broth.A simple, genuine autumn first course.Inexpensive recipe, ready in 30 minutes: it will please the whole family.Just choose an excellent seasonal pumpkin with a juicy pulp, a rice that keeps cooking.Follow the classic rules for preparing risotto (roasting, […]

Easy CARBONARAThis dish is an egg, bacon and cream cheese that wraps the pasta and has become an Italian symbol and tradition.Together with Pasta Cacio e Pepe it is the symbol of Rome!This sauce is very easy and cook in about the same time it takes to cook dry pasta.Remember: the main goal is creaminess.Follow […]

Slow Cooker Italian RIBOLLITARibollita is a tasty soup, like a more substantial version of minestrone, thickened with bread and scented with garlic.This classic Italian vegetarian soup is comforting enough.Rich in abundant vegetables, meaty beans and plenty of olive oil and Parmesan.It is good fresh from the oven, but it is perhaps even better if you […]

Spinach & cheese CANNELLONIA juicy spinach and ricotta filling inside cannelloni pasta tubes, topped with a simple homemade tomato basil sauce and melted cheese.This is one of my meals that I prepare to give to friends and a great one to prepare for dinners.I love cannelloni and I make them often during most of the […]

Homemade HAM and CHEESE MANICOTTI with crepesHomemade ham and cheese manicotti made with “crespelle” (crepes) as they say in Italy.Easy to prepare even in advance and very fast.A dish for Sunday lunch or for a special occasion but also for every day.They are lighter than pasta but very tasty. They can become a single meal […]

BACON wrapped BEEF tenderloinBacon wrapped beef tenderloin in a pan or in the oven is an appetizing second dish of meat.To be served hot on the table to counteract the winter cold, perhaps by warming up in front of a fireplace.The meat is made even more tasty by the presence of pancetta which becomes crunchy […]

BACON wrapped SAUSAGE BITES Get ready because this is not an easy recipe but… very easy! The sausage and bacon skewers are a delicious second course that is certainly appreciated by everyone from the largest to the smallest. A very easy preparation that is truly irresistible also thanks to the marinating of the meat that […]

CHICKEN with VEGETABLES in the SLOW COOKERThis chicken with vegetables recipe is one of the typical recipes of the Italian tradition and is called “Pollo/Chicken alla Cacciatora”. There are many versions, the one I propose today was prepared by my grandmother when I was a child. Simple but super tasty chicken and vegetable recipe. A […]

Beef PINWHEELS RecipeToday, let’s make my beef pinwheel recipe.This is a traditional recipe handed down from my mother-in-law, who come from Tuscany.What I like about this recipe is that you can change the filling every time you make it. Don’t like mozzarella? Try it instead with provolone. Not a fan of eggs? Try it with […]

Veal with tuna sauce VITELLO TONNATOVitello tonnato is a typical dish of the Italian tradition.Thin slices of veal are served cold, seasoned with a cream based on anchovies, tuna, hard-boiled egg yolks, capers, lemon juice and vinegar. This recipe starts with a cut of whole veal rump, but chicken breast can also be used.Unlike many […]

BEER-BRAISED PORK KNUCKLES Pork shank with beer is a rich and tasty second dish widespread especially in the countries of Northern Europe It is a poor cut of meat and therefore very cheap but no less tasty than other cuts considered more noble. It is very simple to prepare but for its success it takes […]

How to prepare hand made EASY PANETTONEHow to make easy Panettone by hand? Don’t worry, it will be very easy and the dough is without a mixer and it will not be tiring.If you don’t believe it, follow my recipe recommendations.I am honest I have tried many times to make panettone and the result was […]

PANDOLCE a no rising italian Panettone PANDOLCE a no rising italian Panettone Christmas time is my favorite time of the year! It’s not about the presents for me, it’s about the baking! The scent that fills your house while you are baking is lovely and festive.  In my stunning region, Liguria, we make Pandolce during […]

MASCARPONE CREAM for Pandoro, Panettone, cake and desserts Mascarpone cream is a great classic of the Christmas tradition in Italy and is perfect for all holidays (from Christmas to Epiphany). With this recipe you can present your panettone or pandoro in a completely different way and amaze your guests! To make this cream, no special […]

CHRISTMAS CAKE POPS Colorful, fun and greedy: Christmas cake pops. They are a simple and quick preparation also useful for recycling leftover sweets in a greedy way. They are lollipop-shaped sweets usually made with crumbled sponge cake. Leftovers of dry cakes, pandoro and panettone mixed with jam, nutella or mascarpone are also good. They are […]

CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL I love rolled cakes because not only are they greedy but also because they are very easy and can be prepared in no time. I’m honest I would have eaten it while I was doing it, so I confess I smoked the first slice without worrying about resting times! This chocolate roll […]

Sicilian CASSATA CAKEThe Sicilian cassata cake is the lighter version of the traditional Sicilian cassata made with almond paste and candied fruit.It is a tasty baked cake filled with sweet ricotta cream and dark chocolate drops that has nothing to envy to the most famous traditional cassata.I love Sicilian sweets, my grandmother came from Messina […]

Homemade SICILIAN CANNOLI recipeSicilian cannoli are delicious tubes of delicacy.Their ultra crunchy amber shells give way to the soft and delicate ricotta filling.My grandmother was from Sicily and I still remember when she brought me cannoli ….Even now they are my favorite dessert and I often make them.For a “shortcut” you can find ready-made cannoli […]

Recipe TIRAMISU cake Recipe TIRAMISU cake A new way to present the most appreciated and famous Italian dessert in the world.The original Tiramisu recipe prepared in layers in a semi-spherical mold with ladyfingers, coffee and mascarpone cream to obtain a super delicious cake.The ladyfingers, soaked in coffee, are placed around the mold to form a […]

Easy ZUCCOTTO recipeA traditional Tuscan dessert, originating in Florence, zuccotto is basically a sponge cake dome filled with whipped.You could use ladyfingers soaked in milk or amaretto and a filling of ricotta, sugar, and chocolate chips.This dessert has been exported all over the world and there are a myriad of recipes.Everyone needs to have a […]

Italian NUTELLA Crumb CAKE We are a family who loves Nutella.I had to hide the jars from my son when he was little, but also from my husband!As my son says: anything is good stuffed with a little of this hazelnut and chocolate cream!This easy Italian Nutella Crumb Cake, makes the perfect Dessert or Snack […]

EASY Profiteroles A rich and creamy topping of custard and whipped cream inside light, airy, crunchy and perfectly cooked choux pastry shells, and then topped with a delicious chocolate sauce on top. And if you are scared to prepare the cream puffs you can always buy them ready to be stuffed. I thought about making […]

EASY CHOCOLATE Italian PuddingChocolate pudding is a delicious homemade dessert with timeless flavors. This spoon dessert does not fear culinary fads.It is an evergreen of DIY Italian pastry, easy to prepare.The recipe requires cooking for a few minutes and then immediately in the fridge to harden in the molds.To complete the work, dedicate yourself to […]

CANTUCCINI tuscan cookies Who calls them tozzetti, who calls them Tuscan Cantucci or even Cantucci di Prato, whatever the name Cantucci are the most famous sweets of the Tuscan tradition: dry biscuits prepared with flour, butter, eggs and almonds normally enjoyed together with a glass of vin santo. These classic Italian cookies get their characteristic […]

This easy recipe for an apple tarte tatin lets you make the classic inverted apple pie that oozes caramelized sugar.La Tarte Tatin is a French classic, but it is still present in Italian cuisine and the recipe has often been elaborate.One of the most famous Italian pastry chefs, known all over the world, Iginio Massari […]

Italian recipe JAM TARTThe jam tart is perhaps the first dessert that comes to mind when you want to prepare a simple dessert that everyone likes. A shortcrust pastry base and a jam filling.It is a genuine dessert, which is easy to keep, easy to take to parties. Despite its simplicity it is tasty and […]