Regina Sesame CookiesElegant on the outside, simple and genuine on the inside… experience these traditional and delicious Sicilian sweets with Coffee or with a dessert wine. Regina cookies (Sesamini)4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking powder1 pinch salt2 sticks unsalted butter, softened at room temperature1 cup sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extractZest 2 oranges Juice...

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Potato and Zucchini Polpettone for the Holidays

 Potato and Zucchini PolpettoneAn easy and tasty side dish that can be prepared ahead and baked right before serving. It’s a versatile dish that can be made with cooked zucchini, spinach, or even asparagus. I serve it instead of the regular mashed potato dish. 4 medium golden potatoes, unpeeled1 large egg, lightly beaten  1 small zucchini, small dice or grated 1 celery stalk,...

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La Carbonara Pasta

 Alba’s Spaghetti Carbonara Traditional Recipe -Spaghetti Carbonara is one of the most famous Pasta Recipes of Roman Cuisine, made only with 6 simple ingredients: spaghetti, guanciale (or Pancetta), freshly cracked black pepper, freshly grated Pecorino Romano, beaten yolks, and pasta water. All the ingredients must be of high quality to achieve a successful recipe. No garlic, no onions, no herbs,...

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Pasta Al Profumo di Arancia Oranges are the coming together of two fruits, the pomelo fruit, and the mandarin. Oranges are native to China grown as early as 2,500 BC. When the Arabs conquered Spain in the 8th century they introduced oranges. Later they were introduced into Italy. In the 16th century, Spaniards took oranges to the Americas.  It was the Spanish Missionaries,...

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Procello e Gelato

 Limoncello is usually enjoyed as a digestive, at the end of the meal, but it can also be served as an aperitif.  The origins of limoncello are unclear; the authorship of the recipe of this famous liqueur is, in fact, contested between three splendid places in Campania; Amalfi, Capri and Sorrento. These places are famous because of the abundance of fragrant lemon trees and for a production...

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EASTER IN ITALY – TORTA PASQUALINA

Torta Pasqualina  Easter is one of the most celebrated holidays in Italy. The Sunday before Easter, families return home with blessed olive branches from churches (in the absence of palm trees).  Holy Week begins. Thursday commemorates the anniversary of the Last Supper. Good Friday is the day of the Way of the Cross where streets light up with torches and processions....

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Valentine Risotto al Prosecco Pere e Pecorino

   There are two differing folk tales about St. Valentine according to legend and history. One of them was about a priest and martyr from the ancient Roman Empire. The other was a martyr and a bishop in Terni, Italy (Valentino da Terni). The first legend, a priest dared to defy the order of Roman Emperor Claudius II. The emperor declared that Roman soldiers should not marry because...

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Lentil Vellutata (velvety) in Red Wine and Panceta

  It’s Soup Weather!  Italy’s history and culture are entwined with its ancient heritage, and all Italians are immensely proud of their country and its amazing past. A love of music, art, good food and great wine is born into every native, and the enjoyment of life’s finer things is compulsory. Much of the country’s rural regions still have a traditional...

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