Happy Blogiversary 1 yr for What's Cookin' Italian Style Cuisine!

Monday, May 31, 2010
Happy Blogiversary on May 31st 2010 to What's Cookin' Italian Style Cuisine Blog! What an amazing year of discoveries made through this endeavor, which resulted in wonderful new friends that share the same passion for cooking, and eating. A universal language indeed! With one word FOOD!!!

To celebrate the year, I have gone through all the posts to see what my readers viewed as my Top postings and had the most comments on. Here are your TOP 5 picks. Thank you for a wonderful first year of support and new friendships.....Claudia aka Pegasuslegend


Nutella No Name Cupcake No. #1 was a three way tie....

Amaretto Strawberry Cream Tart

Cinnabon Cookie Recipe

Italian Seafood Chowder No. #2

Peanut Butter Pattie Knockoff Cookie No. #3

Peas and Pasta No. # 4


In the first year What's Cookin' Italian Style Cuisine Blog posted 342 recipes posted
Over 3000 comments
Twitter has 990 followers
Facebook What's Cookin' Style Italian Cuisine has 553 followers

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Double Fudge Cookies For Chocoholic Lovers

Saturday, May 22, 2010
These are the most chocolaty cookies ever made hence the name Double Fudge Cookies for Chocoholic Lovers


The baked cookies are dipped into the fudgy chocolate on both ends then into nuts just makes them look so festive.


Using some simple pantry ingredients, these cookies are super easy to make just drop and bake and also freeze well if you make them ahead of time.


If you love chocolate you may also want to try my No Bake Buckeye Bars.


Scroll down to print out this easy recipe.





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Cinnamon Bun Cookies

Friday, May 21, 2010
If you're a huge fan of Cinnabon in the mall or any bakery-style cinnamon rolls/buns you're in for a full-flavored buttery-style cookie that will be your new favorite!

Homemade cinnamon roll cookies is a favorite recipe in our home, buttery cookies with a cinnamon sugar filling, and vanilla icing drizzled over the top and we even have some fun topping suggestions below for you to try.

Our delicious cookie will certainly fill that craving when you're wishing for that fluffy style cinnamon bun with all the flavors of that favorite roll all in this cookie version.

These filled cookies are truly easy just follow our step-by-step instructions and you're going to love the answer with that first bite of flavors!

If you love filled cookies like we do you may also like to try our Variety Cookie Dough, it's another one to have on hand for a cookie tray when you need an assortment of different kinds that are easy to make.




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Best Italian Grilled Chicken Wings

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Seriously grilled wings are delicious and easy to make and won't heat the house in the summertime.

These chicken wings just need a little time to marinate for the best flavors.

Our simple marinade consists of oil, garlic with added salt, and pepper will make these wings delicious along with many other popular recipes for wings we make  24 different kinds of wings you may also like to try.

Then you can dip them in any kind of Chicken Wings Dipping Sauces you like, they are the best of the best moist inside wings with that down-home smokey outdoor flavor.

Don't miss trying our Smoked Venison Tenderloin, Slow Cooked Beef Brisket or our Pork Belly Burnt Ends if you love smoked meats!

Scroll down to our recipe card for this recipe, it's printable.


grilling wings


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Curt's Catalina Chicken Guest Post

Saturday, May 15, 2010
this is chicken on grill basted with catalina homemade dressing Grilled Catalina Chicken Curts Style.



this is grilled chicken with catalina dressing After marinade at least for four hours or overnight, the chicken will be so tender with an added nicely flavored sweet glaze. All you need is a nice salad and maybe corn on the cob and you have a quick meal for those on the go!




this is Curt he is making homemade Catalina salad dressing A very busy cook. Curt loves to make marinades. He has tried Italian dressings on steak and many other great-tasting marinades, this one is different, a slightly tomato-based sweet style dressing. This dressing called Catalina can be found in most supermarkets.



this is grilled chicken with catalina homemade dressing
4 boneless chicken breast sliced in half
1 bottle of Catalina Style Dressing or homemade recipe below
Marinade at least for four hours or overnight.
Take Chicken one piece at a time out of the marinade and put onto preheated hot grill Cook on medium heat till chicken is done.




Catalina Homemade Salad Dressing


1/2 vegetable oil or extra virgin oil light tasting

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all together and brush the chicken with this. Any dressing leftover can be refrigerator in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks.



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Eggplant Florentine Pomodoro

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Eggplant Florentine Pomodoro stacks are a wonderful addition to any lover of eggplant and we have a list of stacking suggestions for you in this recipe that will satisfy everyone in the household.

Our eggplant stacks can be a whole meal, one that's low in calories, made like a pizza, on a bed of spinach greens, ladened with ricotta cheese, or even meats for meat lovers out there!

So if you're a big fan of eggplant like we are, starting out with breadcrumb-coated eggplant steaks then stacked with the many toppings, you can build them just the way your family likes them.

Our eggplant stacks are featured on a bed of sauteed spinach in garlic, a sliced of beefsteak tomato, and thick sliced mozzarella you can serve warm or hot.

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil or plain tomato marinara sauce, it's heaven on a plate of stacked deliciousness.

Again keep in mind there are several versions you can make and more of the recipes for anything you may stop and say oh that sounds so good, has a great idea that awaits you below.

Scroll down and check out all the options and print off our recipe card.


eggplant stacked with cheese and tomato


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9 Flavored Butter Recipes

Friday, May 7, 2010
Our 9 Flavored Butter Recipes (or aka compound butters) will turn anything planned into spectacular in flavors.

Practically anything you cook or spread with butter makes it taste 100% better and of course, in moderation we want you to stay healthy as these can become addicting.

Make sure the butter is at room temperature before getting started.

Nothing beats the combination of salty and sweet, which is exactly what you get with this classic combination.

Our Almond Honey butter pairs really well on biscuits and toasted bagels, it's so yummy.

Sweetened butter is great on buttermilk pancakes, muffins, and other baked goods as well.

Pasta with Garlic butter, Tomato Basil, and Herb butter are just a few of the 9 recipes we have for you here today and the recipes you can use these in are endless.

Just check out our recipe guide and recipe card that is even printable you won't want to lose this delicious recipe collection!




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Italian Bread Dough or Rolls

Thursday, May 6, 2010
If you're looking for Authentic crusty Italian Bread, this is it, perfect for dipping in flavored oil, with any meal, or sandwich, and it is a versatile recipe for anything that calls for Italian bread dough.

The bread recipes require around 3 hours of time for proofing and cook perfectly in around 35 minutes in any shape you like.

This is all homemade from scratch and we prefer to use bread flour because it has a higher protein count than all-purpose flour and produces a crustier crispy outer crust.

This recipe can be made all by hand or by using an industrial mixer with a dough hook attachment.

We also have used this recipe for other Italian recipes that call for bread dough like Tomato Pie an Italian staple in Central N.Y. and a delicious crust for those who love hard crust.

Scroll down to check out the easy instructions in our printable recipe card.




14

Wagon Wheel Pasta With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
What a fun pasta!!!! Who use to play with their food?

Does anyone remember these? Or still use them. Wagon Wheel Pasta (Or Rotelle Pasta) was a childhood favorite in our household.
The only thing missing is that warm hot crusty Italian Bread! A glass of dry white wine will go nice with this dish.

Fresh tomatoes, tomato paste and white wine simmered to perfection!
The kids will love these~


The flavors of Broccoli Rabe sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic with the sausage and beans give this a wonderful robust flavor to the sauce.


Wagon Wheel Pasta was a fun favorite as a kid, mom used to use these in soup all the time. Half of them would get wheeled around the table.



I love using fresh tomatoes, but if you can't use them canned is fine, pick all-natural for the best flavors or with added spices.







1 16 oz box of Wagon Wheels pasta
2 cans Northern White Beans (or prepared Fresh Beans )
1 clove of minced garlic
1 pound Italian sausage links sliced
1 pound can of diced tomatoes with basil and oregano added (or add your own spices about 1/2 teaspoon each) or 4 fresh plum tomatoes and add your own spices to taste)
1 can of tomato paste


1 cup water
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, black pepper, and salt
fresh basil
2 cans of chicken broth
1 lb of Broccoli Rabe( washed, stalk cut off, boiled till tender, water squeezed out set aside.)
In a large frypan saute broccoli rabe, sausage in olive oil, and minced garlic. After the sausage is almost brown add beans to get garlic to flavor the beans. Add the tomatoes, wine, chicken broth, tomato paste, and water, add extra water if this gets too thick let simmer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile cook wagon wheels pasta in boiling salted water, separately to package instructions al denti.
Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the wagon wheels, and serve with grated cheese, and fresh basil. 

18

Banana Toffee Chocolate Chunk Cookie Recipe

Monday, May 3, 2010
A soft banana cookie with chocolate and toffee bits. A delicious combination of flavors, good anytime of the day, this will remind you of banana breads wholesome goodness.

Use only good quality semi sweet chocolate chunks for this cookie. This is the perfect time to use up some of those old ripe banana's, sitting on your counter.

1/2 cup of salted butter, room temperature
1 cup of brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup of mashed ripe bananas (about 3 large bananas)
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 1/2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chunks
optional 1 cup walnuts, macadamia, or pecans

1 cup of toffee bits (Heath)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large heavy duty mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light. Add the egg and continue to beat till light. Add the mashed bananas and baking soda and combine all together.
Next add the flour, salt, and cinnamon stir into the banana mixture and mix until just combined.
Fold into the batter chocolate chunks and toffee bits. Drop by tablespoonful onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown around 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks or wax paper.
Makes about 30 cookies.

Printable Recipe
23

Vegetable Pancakes

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Kids are picky, right? Well here is a great way to get them to eat them all inside these delicious pancakes.

These are savory garlic-flavored pancakes with zucchini and shredded carrots, but you can change them to whatever you shred or grate vegetable-wise.

Just substitute your favorite vegetables and as long as it's in small bites, they're hidden in these perfect round pancakes.

These are delicious plain, served with any dipping sauce or condiments of choice.

You could even add sweetness to these savory pancakes using some pineapple with zucchini instead of carrots for a different style flavor.

If you love appetizers these are also a great starter or side dish or you can try our Superbowl Recipe Ideas for snacking on.

Scroll down to the recipe card for the printable and read all the suggestions I have to make these different each time.




8

Mexican Strawberry Margarita Blendrita

Cinco De Mayo coming up on the "fifth of May"   Mexican Strawberry Margarita Blendrita is a great drink for anytime of the year!
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