Rome: Ciambelline al Vino with Dipping Chocolate
There’s a very good reason why Rome is so storied and romanticized and revered. It deserves it. I first visited Rome on an organized bus tour with my mom in 1999, then with a girlfriend a few months later while studying abroad in Paris in college. Those visits were very short, but I instantly knew […]
Amalfi Coast & Positano: Wild Strawberry Ricotta Cheesecakes
Everyone has their own idea of paradise, whether it’s a tropical island, a lake in the mountains, a tranquil forest, or whatever place brings you pure joy. Maybe even one’s own backyard. My happiest Happy Place is of the Italian persuasion… which you might have guessed by now. š One place in particular that I […]
Lombardia: Torta Sbriciolata with Cocoa, Ricotta & Chocolate Chips
Last year I waxed poetic about a cake from northern Italy that I had discovered called torta sbriciolataĀ (sbree-cho-LAH-tah), which consists of a crumbly base and top layer sandwiching a creamy or fruity filling. And I was all, āThis cake is amazing!ā and āThis cake is so easy!ā and āIām going to post so many flavors […]
An Italian Love Story: Reflections & Recipes Inspired by my Travels to Bella Italia
Have you ever been to a place that has utterly overtaken your soul… and you didn’t have the faintest desire to resist? A place that seeped into your bloodstream? A place that you fantasize about on a daily basis from afar? A place you know you belong? I love to travel and see new places, […]
Positano Dreamin’: Amalfi Pear & Ricotta Cake
Imagine, if you will, an Italian beach town paradise with colorful buildings, bright fuschia bougainvilleas, and curly iron balconiesĀ cascading down the side of a mountain to meet the perfectly aquamarine Mediterranean Sea. Rows upon rows of orange beach umbrellas carpetĀ the sand in-between, and a few small boats bob in the distance. You are sitting in […]
Kisses From Italy: Baci di Dama
I used to say that I didn’t care for Italian desserts. Even after spending three weeks in Italy a couple of summersĀ ago, I was still fairly lukewarm, except for good cannoli, gelato, and a few other select things that were obviousĀ no-brainers. My tastes have always leaned more towards American and French pastry styles, but that […]
Strawberry Sidekick: Rhubarb Semifreddo with Pistachio Crumbles
Imagine, if you will, a fluffy, fruity, sweet-tart frozen dessert that is at once easy-peasy and super elegant. Imagine that you can make it without any special equipment, yet it would impress everyone at your upcoming dinner party. Now imagine that you ran out to the store right before said dinner party to buy a […]
Baked Sunday Mornings: Brutti Ma Buoni (Italian Pistachio-Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies)
I think I’ve always felt that meringues are sort of a black-and-white thing: either you love them, or you don’t– there’s not much gray area in the middle. (Disclaimer: It’s perfectly likely that I’m completely, entirely wrong about this.) When I saw this recipe forĀ Brutti Ma BuoniĀ (‘Ugly But Good’ in Italian) from Baked OccasionsĀ on theĀ Baked […]
A Sweet Italian New Year: Cannoli Pound Cake
Happy 2016! I hope everyone has enjoyed this holiday season and eaten some fabulous food. š Every year I pretend that I’m going to take it easy on the baking in January, but I guess there’s no point in such delusions, now is there? Let’s be real– I’m going to frolicĀ in sweet, decadent, delicious desserts […]
That’s How the Cake Crumbles: Torta Sbriciolata alle Mele
Ciao a tutti! Friends, it is with great pleasure that I share with you a wonderful cake that just came into my lifeāI can hardly contain myself, actually. You know how sometimes you discover a new kind of dish that you immediately know will become a permanent part of your repertoire? The kind that has […]
