Ciao a tutti! Hi all!

Amaretto cookies are always delicious for entertaining guests with a nice espresso coffee. They are golden and crispy on the exterior, but soft and chewy on the interior. I added a touch of colour by adding Italian flag coloured sprinkles!

Ingredients:

3 eggs whites
3 cups of crushed almonds (almond flour will due)
1 1/2 cups of sugar
teaspoon of almond extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and place parchment paper on a wide cookie sheet.
In a food processor, grind the almonds into a fine flour-like substance. Add the sugar and continue to process for a few more seconds.
Add egg whites and almond extract, and continue to mix until a smooth, malleable dough forms.
Using a teaspoon, place spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Add sprinkles if or maraschino cherries if you’d like!
Cookies should be a few inches apart.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cookies are golden.
Let the cookies cool completely.

Fusion of Mediterranean Flavours!

March 11, 2015 ~ alanalg1990 ~ Leave a comment

Fusion of Mediterranean Flavours!.

Have a look at this new page to celebrate Mediterranean food and culture. Kosher ITALIAN to come…

Liebster Award Post

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 ~ alanalg1990 ~ Leave a comment

Hey everyone! Ciao a tutti!

I got some pretty awesome news this afternoon from my close friend and fellow blogger Melissa Taryn! Future MD and super chic fashion blogger (https://melissatarynxx.wordpress.com, check her out and follow her on Instagram!!). I am new to the blogging world, and this is a great way for us newbies to get some of the limelight and exposure!

These are the rules to follow:

Link back to the person that nominated you
Answer the questions given by the nominator
Nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers
Create 11 questions for the nominees
Notify all nominees via social media/blogs

Here are the 11 questions from Melissa:

1. What made you start blogging? What do you hope to get out of it?

I was sitting around the table with my grandmother (Nonna Maria) and she started asking me about Blogs, and how she had recently heard about them on her favourite RAI International Italian TV.

I really want to expose the world to the culinary delights of Italy, and the recipes that my Nonna’s recorded will be preserved forever. Don’t forget that if I can do it, anyone can cook! You just need to love it and enjoy it.

2. What do you do when you’re not blogging?

When I’m not blogging, I am studying Law in Canada.

3. What’s your major goal for 2015?

My major goal is to keep up with the blog and made new contacts in the blogging world.

4. What are your favourite places to shop & why?

My favourite places to shop are Duty Free shops in the airports (especially Roma and Paris!!). It’s a great way to spend time while waiting for a connection. I also love shopping in Salerno, Italy along the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele. It is absolutely stunning.

5. What colours do you like to wear most?

I love wearing whites, purples, and greens.

6. Favorite thing to do on weekends?

Having a nice dinner with family and friends.

7. Three facts about yourself that your readers would be surprised to know!

I am actually 1/8th Native Canadian and 1/4 French Canadian! So proud 😀

I am a bit of nerd, I love reading Historical fiction, or watching History-based documentaries.

I speak 4 languages fluently.

8. If you could travel anywhere RIGHT NOW, where would you go?

I would go to Milan!!

9. Favorite fast food?

Lafleur’s Fast Food in Quebec!

10. Best (or craziest!) date story?

I went on a vespa on the Amalfi Coast and saw the view of the ocean. SO romantic!!!

Here are my 11 nominees:

11 Questions to Answer:

What inspired you to start sharing your passion online?
How did your friends react when they found out you were a new blogger?
What is your favourite holiday dish?
If you had to cook dinner on a Saturday night, what would you cook and why?
Who is your favourite TV chef?!
What is your favourite restaurant?
How many countries have you travelled to in the past 5 years?
What country has the best wine in your opinion?
What is your favourite blog outside of your category?
What’s your favourite dessert?
What is the perfect date night for you?

11. What are your top 5 beauty essentials?

How to spice up your “not so boring leftovers”!! Un piatto semplice per dare una seconda vita al cibo di ieri sera!!

February 26, 2015March 1, 2015 ~ alanalg1990 ~ Leave a comment

Hey everyone! My Nanny Jeannie (Giovanna) always taught us not to waste food. She really was wise in saying that, because as westerners we tend to be wasteful without realizing it. Food is extremely expensive and often times, we toss it out of boredom.

I’m sure we’re all guilty of wrinkling our noses and saying: “ugh I’m sick of eating this AGAIN.” Well, have no fear, for pasta can give your leftovers a second life.

Gnocchi con patate, pancetta, aglio e olio. Gnocchi with potatoes, bacon, olive oil and garlic.

One cold wintery day, I was working on an intense research paper, and I really wanted to get my mind off of my work. Naturally, I decided that cooking was the best option. I opened my freezer, found a bag of Nonna’s gnocchi and started boiling water in una pentola or saucepan. My dad, Danny, “The BBQ KING” had made steaks the night before, with a side of The Little Potato Company potatoes (marinated in garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper). So I tried to get creative…

First, I grabbed the tupperware containing the miniature potatoes
Second, I sliced them in half on a cutting board
Third, I chopped up some bacon
Fourth, I poured a little olive oil in a large Lagostina non-stick pan (you don’t want to burn the gnocchi), and added in the potatoes and bacon
After the gnocchi were ready, I strained them and added them to the mixture of potatoes and bacon
*TIP always use a wooden spoon to stir (but remember that all oils can be absorbed by the wood….be mindful of this if any of your close friends or family members have allergies)