Zucchini Flower Fritelle (Fritters)
Just got back from a four day work trip and I had asked Dad to pick me up at the airport. It was 1:30 pm and I was tired but above all hungry. It was rather cold on the airplane and I chose not to...
View ArticleStrawberry Bruschetta (Bruschetta di Fragole)
My friend Roseann is one of the few, in my humble opinion, that I put in the category of a great cook. Growing up in an Italian family, Sundays were spent at Grandma’s house with all the relatives....
View ArticleSbrisolona
To be perfectly honest, the first time I saw a sbrisolona, it didn’t do too much for me. It wasn’t interesting looking and in fact, to continue with my honesty, actually sort of boring. Originating in...
View ArticleSbrisolona alle Fragole e Cioccolato (Sbrisolona with Strawberries and...
We seem to be on a bit of a sbrisolona kick at Ortensia Blu! I wanted to surprise my colleagues after the long summer break with something new and didn’t want to bake the usual chocolate or apple...
View ArticleApple Cake (Torta di Mele) from Col delle Rane Agriturismo
One of my favorite things about the Italian countryside is the abundance of small, family owned hotels and the food they serve. Each has its own personality, expertise and of course, recipes. Col delle...
View ArticlePumpkin Tiramisu (Tiramisù di Zucca)
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it’s all about food. Wait, okay…I take that back – it’s about giving thanks FOR the food. And family. And health. And anything else that makes your heart...
View ArticleCiambella all’Arancia (Orange Scented Olive Oil Cake)
As much as I love to cook, there's something about baking that makes my heart sing. Maybe it's the warming scent of hot dough in the oven that I find so comforting. Perhaps it's that with baking...
View ArticleTorta alla Melagrana (Pomegranate Cake)
A few months ago, Monica sent me a bunch of Italian cooking magazines from 15+ years ago that her mom had lying around. They all had such beautiful pictures and I don’t care what anyone says, the photo...
View ArticleIced Triple Lemon Biscotti (from Ciao Biscotti)
My mother went on vacation to California and she brought me back a lemon. That’s it…just a lemon…nothing else. And I was happy. Very, very happy. She picked the lemon from a friend’s organic lemon...
View ArticleEsse Buranei and Bussolà (Cookies from Burano)
My trip through the Venetian Lagoon was phenomenal and the stunning sites and scenery will be forever etched in my mind. Especially the food. And of course the Prosecco. When I see something...
View ArticleLa Torta Paradiso (Paradise Cake)~Maria Callas Style
The year I graduated from college and moved to New York, I had a fall ticket series to the New York City Opera with a work friend. I didn’t know much about opera and still don’t, but seeing the...
View ArticleBiscotti al Limoncello (Limoncello Cookies)
A meal is not complete in Italy without drinking a “digestivo”, or an after dinner drink at the end of the meal. A good Grappa, Amaro, Sambuca or Limoncello sipped after dinner is thought to help one’s...
View ArticleZabaione Chantilly Mousse from Peccati di Gola Cooking School
In 1989, Roberta Molani opened one of the first cooking schools in Italy. Since then, Peccati di Gola, has grown from its original location in Mestre to include classes in thirteen locations throughout...
View ArticlePrune Cake {Torta alla Prugne}
I remember as a kid, my grandmother always had prune juice in the fridge. So throughout my life, I always associated prune juice with old people. And also for… you know…when you need a little extra...
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