Tropical Blue Jello Island Dessert

A perfect Island cool dessert that the kids will love to make and eat! During a visit with my nephew Vinny, who is from Upstate New York, (my home town) visiting me here in Florida, we decided to make something tropical, fun and easy. Utica, New York reported having three major snow storms while he had been here on vacation in sunny Florida.

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Tropical Beach Spa Cake

  Making memories in the kitchen is a must for me. There are times in our lives we just have to find something special to cook up to make a lasting memory, this was it! This Tropical Beach Spa Cake was such a fun project!  Really what better way then family memories are made in the kitchen?


My niece Pamela, her husband Bruce and their two kids came to visit me from Upstate New York this week. Samantha my great niece and their little junior cook did a marvelous job with some direction making this adorable cake.

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Traditional Italian Rum Balls Valentine Heart Recipe

An easy cookie that every Rum lover loves! Why not shape these into pretty hearts for your special someone. A perfect treat to celebrate the night with that special someone! 

Rum Ball Cookies

3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup rum
1 box vanilla wafers crushed in food processor fine
1 1/2 cups nuts
More powdered sugar for rolling
Place everything in a bowl and mix until well combined. Shape into hearts. Roll into powdered sugar. I keep them refrigerated.  These look great in a glass mug with candied hearts for a gift. Wrap in cellophane paper and tie with a red bow.

Store in an airtight container.

+claudia lamascolo author

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Veal Cutlet Parmesano Sub Recipe

An Italian favorite found in fine dining Italian Restaurants.


Mom and Grandma always loved a tender piece of fried veal.


Pounded thin and dipped in egg and flour, lightly fried with a sauce made one great sandwich if there were any leftovers.


You just may have been used to Chicken Parmesano or Eggplant on the menus.


You will also find some links for other traditional recipes a little different below than this recipe.

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Southwest Tex Mex Hamburger Sauce Recipes Four Ways

For those of you that read my blog you know that even though I am Italian I love many other kinds of foods. Southwest style is one of them. This is a great sauce almost like a homemade hamburger stew that is hearty, flavorful and healthy. A versatile sauce designed to be used in many ways.

See below for the suggestions. My favorite is really over rice.

1 or 2 pounds ground chuck or small 3 cubed boneless chicken breast
1 bell pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
optional pinch of cayenne pepper
1 can whole kernel corn drained
1 can black beans drained, red beans or pinto beans can be used
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce (1 cup) or store bought in a jar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Optional Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, olives, salsa, jalapeno

Use Below As A Topping And Making Different Meals add additional shredded  cheese on top!

Version 1:
8 to 10  flour or corn tortilla's

Version 2:
Favorite Cooked Pasta

Version 3:
Cooked Rice

Version 4:
In a hurry? Pour over Torilla chips for a quick snack. Use chips, add shredded cheese, black olives and sour cream

For the sauce:

In a large fry pan saute hamburger (or chicken) with peppers in 1/4 cup water and 2 teaspoons olive oil till pink is gone, drain some of the excess oil from the meat. Add the garlic, cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, corn, beans and seasonings. Simmer for 30 minutes on low. Your sauce is ready to use on the three suggestive versions!


For Pasta Version: Boil Pasta to package directions. Drain. Add to casserole dish top with cheese and bake till hot and bubbly.

For Rice Version: Boil rice to package instructions. Pour into casserole dish, bake with cheese on top until melted.

For Tortilla Version: Line a casserole dish with tortilla like a lasagna. First layer tortilla some of the Tex Mex mixture, cheese and repeat ending with cheese.  Bake at 400 degrees until cheese is hot, bubbly and browned.



If you enjoy Southwest Cuisine, try some of these recipes:

Southwest Soup
Tequilla Lime Grilled Shrimp
Grilled Lemon Lime Pepper Chicken and Vegetables
Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe
Southwest Crockpot Corn Pudding
Southwest Potato Salad
Southwest Cheddar Scones

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