Caramel Banana Flan

Monday, February 25, 2013
Well let me start out saying, I had never made flan before.  My son said he loves flan and wanted me to give it a go.  This makes it's own light caramel sauce all in one pan and this caramel banana flan was over the top delicious!


caramel and banana flan that is oozing with rich caramel over the time baked right in the pan. Buttery and delicious

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Rigatoni alla Zozzona

Sunday, February 24, 2013
I was a child back in the 1960s when grandma made this dish called Rigatoni all Zozzona which she was taught by her mom in Rome Italy at the age of 15 before she made her way to live here in the United States.

The recipe has been adapted through the years by memory of the taste, and it's pretty close to what she made back then, although not as authentic as the original recipe written the sauce is made with simple ingredients and a hearty pasta dish.

Sausage, pork. wine, tomatoes, lots of garlic, cheese, and egg yolks are the main ingredients.

This dish is rich, hearty, and very memorable.

Rome, Italy is famous for pasta, and mostly and back in those days basic inexpensive ingredients were used.

She also made some other popular pasta dishes she made were similar in the style you may have heard of Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe and of course the fabulous Carbonara all-Roman versions of grandma's recipes.

Translated on what this dish is stating " means filthy in Italian" however we think it's a delicious classic meal.

It acquired its that name because in Roman dialect the word also means something that’s full of everything and hard to describe.

One of the ingredients may not be something your very familiar called guanciale part of the pork jowl/cheek, you can use pancetta which is very popular here in America as a substitution.

Here is our version we hope you enjoy it the Roman ways grandma made.

For the recipe just scroll down to the bottom of the page.


rigatoni pasta with pork and tomato sauce


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Chilean Sea Bass With Pineapple Lime Butter

Thursday, February 21, 2013
A delicious way to prepare Chilean Sea Bass you will love this dining experience with this wonderful light-tasting fish. Buttery wine flaky fish.

This is a buttery delicious fish that's naturally sweet meat and tender, moist, and totally gourmet.

Although Chilean Sea Bass is a bit pricey it's a must try at least once in a seafood lover's lifetime if possible.

Chilean sea bass although again very expensive is also a sought-after fish due to its rich flavor.

This white fish is a wonderful addition to your fish diet and is healthy, high in protein, and low in-carb seafood.

Just scroll through the recipe ingredients and if you would like to try this with another seafood we have listed below substitutions.


sea bass Asian style


3

Rum Banana Bread Pudding Recipe

Saturday, February 16, 2013


When we have leftover bananas (sometimes banana bread gets old and you need a change, well here it is), we like this alternative. Yet another cooler weather comfort food so easy it's hard to write it as a recipe since there is nothing to it. You really can't mess it up if you add too much or too little it will still taste great! I always have to double the recipe and have another one to go home with my son when he's here!



3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoon brown sugar
6 slices of cinnamon bread cubed
3 banana's sliced lengthwise then in halves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoon dark rum
4 eggs
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons butter melted
1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream

In a bowl beat eggs, add both the milk and cream. Add vanilla, spices, butter and rum last. In a deep casserole dish or large loaf pan, greased heavy with butter or spray with cooking oil.  Place cubes of bread in the bottom then banana and keep layering until all gone. Pour the pudding mixture over the bread and bananas. Bake on 350 degrees until browned and set in the center around 1 hour or more.
Serve with sweet whipped cream or a caramel ice cream topping or both!

Caramel Sauce:

1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons rum (Optional)
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup half and half

Add everything but the vanilla and rum. Cook for 5 minutes until it gets thicker, add the rum if not using add 1 tablespoon of the vanilla instead if using rum add both now and cook a few minutes longer. Store unused in the refrigerator.
+claudia lamascolo  Author
2

Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder Mom's Recipe

Friday, February 15, 2013

Mom never used a crockpot in her day but I tried this in the crock pot and it came out great! So here is her version of this amazing soup of course you can still make it in a regular pot as well. My dad never liked cream soups, so this was one of his favorites. She often added Shrimp to this as well along with the clams occasionally for a special treat!

4 slices of bacon chopped
2 stalks of chopped celery
2 cups water
3/4 cup vegetable broth or chicken
2 chopped onions
3 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
28 ounces of Stewed Tomatoes chopped undrained
4 small potatoes diced
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon thyme and black pepper
salt to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 1/2  pounds fresh minced clams (add the last 30 minutes of cooking)
or if your using cans you will need 6- 6 1/2 ounce cans)

Pour everything into the crockpot except the clams stirring together. Place on high 4 to 6 hours. Add the clams in the last 30 minutes. If using a large stock pot, cook on medium heat for 2 hours.
+claudia lamascolo  Author
2

Red Velvet Pancake Recipe For Valentines Day

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I have never had anything red velvet ever! After seeing so much hype on the lovely cakes, cupcakes and pretty batters, I decided this is what hubby was getting for a special breakfast this Valentine's Day! To our surprise they were quite different than any other flavor we have tried in the past. Not exactly sure even how to describe the taste but really good. I added some black red cherries, a little cream cheese and they were the perfect sweetness.

You can use any cookie cutter shapes but I thought hearts were the perfect touch! Enjoy.






Red Velvet Pancake Recipe

2 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix in a bowl all the above ingredients and set aside



In another bowl add:

1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1- 1/2 cups buttermilk or evaporated milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons red food coloring

Whisk these above ingredients together blending evenly.

Now pour the wet mixture into the dry and folding until moistened and still lumps remaining.

Heat your griddle on medium low heat. Spray with cooking oil. Also if using a heart shaped cookie cutter for the heart red velvet shaped pancakes, spray the interior of the cookie cutter.  Fill the cookie cutter with batter until 2/3 thirds full, cook 1 minute and bubbles appear flip (note you can use cooking tongs to remove the cookie cutter. Cook until lightly golden another minute or so.



9

5 Minute Trifle and Video Hangout Recipes

Monday, February 11, 2013
5 minute trifles are all about easy to make desserts for every individual taste.
You can choose from the chocolate lover to the decadent cheesecake or sponge cake lovers. The secret is to start with the crust of your favorite cookie, cake or brownie, build your dessert with fruits, puddings and toppings your love. Interested yet? Watch our first video below. My son and I will give you plenty of ideas and I am sure you will taylor them to your families cravings. Using cookies, fruits, nuts coconut, chocolates and more!


4

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Thursday, February 7, 2013
These are just easy classic sugar cookies crunchy on the outside chewy on the inside and perfect for making your favorite holiday shapes.

Match the sprinkles on top of the cookies before baking like the famous finds in Mrs. Fields cookies or frost them to your heart's desire.

Round and plain, crunchy and chewy, these can be baked to your taste just by how long you bake your cookies, the longer you bake the crispier cookies.

We also include a super easy recipe using just a cookie sugar mix with a few additions you can have festive cookies in no time!

Try our homemade recipe or store-bought sugar cookie mix recipe in the recipe card at the bottom just scroll and hit print!.

sugar cookies on a santa dish


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Nutella Coconut Mallow Turnovers Recipe World Nutella Day February 5th

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Celebrating World Nutella Day Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso solemnly declare Saturday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2013″ – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella !!!


One of my favorite candies is Mallo Cups, so this is a treat for me since it has a similar flavor inside!

Here is an easy fix for that craving!



1 package puff pastry, 2 pastry sheets thawed
1 Cup Nutella spread
1/2 cup toasted coconut
1 Cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup toasted coconut (toasted spread on a paper plate for 1 minutes turning every 20 seconds)
grated chocolate or mini chocolate chips optional
Confectionary sugar and water glaze

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut each square of pastry into 4 equal size pieces. Spread two tablespoons of Nutella spread onto the center of each pastry leaving 1/2 inch border around edges.  Top each with about 12  mini marshmallows, sprinkle with toasted coconut and fold over to form a little triangle. Close edges with a fork. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until pastry just turns golden. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Use a confectionary sugar and water glaze for the top, sprinkle with grated chocolate or mini chocolate chips.

Toasting Coconut:
Place coconut spread out in one thin layer on a paper plate and microwave it stirring every 10 seconds till brown. (Or you can do this is the oven on parchment paper on 350 till brown keep turning!)

Here are more Nutella Recipe for all of us Nutella Fans out there!

 Bread Pudding Nutella 2011 Latest Food Craze
Ricotta Frangelico Nutella Cake
Nutella Hazelnut Truffles
Nutella Mousse Tart
Nutella Ferrero Rocher Hot Cocoa
Nutella Milano Cookies
Nutella Chocolate Banana Crepes
Nutella No Name Cupcakes
Raspberry Nutella Crepe
Nutella Chocolate Chip Bars
Melting Moments
Nutella Rugelach
Nutella Gourmet Brownies
Nutella Dipped Frozen Banana
Nutella Drizzeled Rice Krispie Treats
Adult Nutella Pudding Shots
Homemade Nutella
Nutella Filled Ricotta Tarts
Wontons filled Nutella Baked


+claudia lamascolo Author
9

Meatball and Sausage Stuffed Bread Recipe

Monday, February 4, 2013




9

Puttanesca Sauce with Chicken

Saturday, February 2, 2013
Puttanesca Sauce is a blend of delicious flavors in a tomato sauce and anyone who speaks Italian knows Puttana in Italian means prostitute, or lady of the night!

Despite the name, this is a very popular tomato sauce recipe with spaghetti in Italy and abroad calling it spaghetti all puttanesca.

With chicken on the plate, this dish is certainly changed this popular sauce into a heartier meal however, will omit being called authentic in any way but the sauce is really tasty on more than just pasta.

Chicken is never served on the same plate with pasta and only served in another dish alone so we usually have it as a side dish in another serving bowl.

We have always loved chicken with Italian meat sauce on top, and during the depression days, instead of beef or meatballs, Grandma used chicken in our Sunday sugo (they were raised in the yards where she lived when Grandma was a small child in Rome, Italy).

Over the years the recipe was adapted with flavors and sometimes we would add peppers, mushrooms, and onions to the sauce for a nice change in flavors it was also terrific on pizza.

Regardless, you can adapt the original style recipe without all the additions and not even make this with chicken which is not Authentic in any way.

This sauce is usually prepared and placed over a dish of macaroni preferably spaghetti.


olive sauce with chicken


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