Posts in Holiday
Limoncello

I can’t think of anything more quintessentially Italian Summer than limoncello. And what better way to hold on to these last few days than bottle it up!? My aunt’s been making limoncello for years now and it always turns out great. So I finally got around to asking her for the recipe - it’s amazingly simple, but like all things Italian, it takes time and quality to do right.

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Red & White Sangria

In my family, we like both! Sangria (like meatballs and sauce/gravy) is a very personal thing. Everyone has their way of doing it. But if you've never tried it before, here's how my family makes it! And to be honest...these recipes are just the basics. We will literally use whatever booze is in the house, whatever we're in the mood for, and usually whoever is making the sangria is drunk by the time it's ready cause they've been tasting as they go! But we always enjoy the results!

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Watermelon Mint Granita

This classic Sicilian dessert (now found all across Italy!) makes the perfect sweet treat to celebrate the good ol'U.S. of A! Granita is special because it's not flavored frozen water, but rather frozen puree of whatever you're looking for! Then it's mixed every 30-45 minutes during the freezing process, giving it its unique texture! In this video I'll show you how to make an easy mint simple syrup to flavor your granita with! Then we'll mix it with watermelon puree to make a beautiful, refreshing dessert - PERFECT for 4th of July weekend - or any time you want a light (healthy!) dessert for a hot Summer's day!

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Pork Chops with Peppers & Onions

We're celebrating dads with one of MY father's favorite dinners! Pork chops with onions and peppers! This is a delicious one-pan dinner! Pork chops smothered with onions and peppers and finished in the oven! Drizzled with balsamic vinegar these chops have amazing flavor! Serve them with crusty bread, crispy potatoes (OR, toss the potatoes in the pot with the chops!) and a big fresh salad and I think YOUR dad will be as happy as mine is when he sees this come out of the oven!

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Strawberry Crostata

Like so many of us, Mother's Day won't be what it USUALLY is for my family. So I wanted to come up with something fun, and easy, that anyone could tackle at home! I imagined my friends' husbands cooking with their kids; or adult children (like me!) cooking for their mom and dropping it at her door. And as always, I wanted to use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Strawberries were the immediate answer there - and a crostata sounded lovely. A simple recipe, with a few ingredients, that dads, kids, and big kids alike could easily create - without short-changing mom! Just like our current lives, this dessert is perfect in its imperfections. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there, sharing their love and strength with all of us trying to navigate this crazy world! We love you!

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Flourless Chocolate Torte

f you're looking for the perfect way to impress your love - look no further than this delicious Valentine's Day recipe! Flourless chocolate torte is one of those things that feels super fancy - but in fact only requires a few ingredients and about an hour to make! I make mine with vanilla bean paste and Italian espresso to amp up the flavors and give it great texture! Then serve it with fresh red berries and a dusting of powdered sugar! Yum!

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Fig Jam

It was an ancient Italian tradition to give jars of figs in honey to friends and family at the start of the year to encourage sweetness in their lives - so I decided to start the year with this fig and honey jam! Easy to make, perfect as a hostess gift (or, you know, for that person who got you something that you didn't get for - oops!), and delicious all around! Watch how easy it is to make this sugar-free jam at home! I use dried figs which are easier to come by this time of year. Swap the sugar for honey to keep with tradition. And infuse the jam with vanilla! Enjoy!

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Morning Regrets Elixir

Beth Nydick has the perfect solution for your Holiday mishaps! This Morning Regrets Elixir will have you feeling better in no time! Whether you were too cheerful on Christmas, or rang the New Year in a little too hard - or even, if you wanted to start the New Year being good to yourself - here's how to do it! This coconut water drink is infused with detoxifying lime and antioxidant loaded mint! Topped with a touch of seltzer it'll settle your stomach and calm your body down so you're ready to tackle whatever the new year throws at you!

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Nonni's Chocolate Chestnut Torta
My great-grandmother only made this rich, chocolate and chestnut dessert once a year - for Christmas! It was usually served with a little corner cut off so she could taste it before she offered it to the rest of us! And while it's time consuming - the results are well worth it! Start by making a traditional chestnut puree, then add in chocolate and amaretti to create this mildly sweet but incredibly flavorful Holiday dessert! Mamma D is my very special guest this week as we get ready to celebrate Christmas in the Cucina! Buona Natale! 
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Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's baking season! To me, there's nothing better than a big platter, or pretty box loaded with cookies for the Holidays! It's what I've been giving friends and family for years! And is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie!? Of course, I add my own spin to this easy cookie recipe. Like browning the butter, using dark brown sugar, and a hefty dose of vanilla bean paste! Then I load them up with walnuts and chocolate chips! But as always, you are free to start here and make your cookies YOUR way!

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Ricotta Gnocchi

Ricotta gnocchi are an easy and delicious fresh pasta shape to make! They're perfect to serve during the holidays because they're much lighter than potato gnocchi - making it easier to keep on eating! Both Thanksgiving and Christmas generally involve a pasta course in my family and these are one of our favorites! We serve these gnocchi in a Bolognese style sauce. The shape is perfect for the hearty sauce! They also freeze easily so we can make them in advance! Plus then we have leftovers for another day!

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Clean Cocktails: Spiced Subourbon

Beth Nydick is back with the perfect party cocktail! Fall flavors like citrus and spice are mixed with bourbon and can be served warmed or chilled! Make it a pitcher and serve for the perfect Fall cocktail party (aka Thanksgiving!) or save for winter! Either way you're bound to love this delicious, bourbon cocktail!

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American Pie

Check out my version of "American Pie"! The red, white & blue are deliciously proud in this peach berry pie! It's super easy to make and perfect for the 4th of July!

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The Seeing Eye

MY good friend and fellow Health Coach Beth Nydick is back at the Chef's Counter at Vanillamore in Montclair NJ. And we're mixing up another healthy cocktail drink for you! We're officially kicking off Summer with this sunset colored concoction! The Seeing Eye is named because of the benefits carrot juice gives to the eyes - but as Beth expains, too many may have you seeing double! Check out the video and get the recipe here!

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Chef Jesse Jones New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp

Check out Chef Jesse Jones' recipe for New Orleans style BBQ shrimp! This dish makes the perfect Father's Day appetizer! Plus it's got that BIG flavor that Dad will love and Chef Jesse is known for! Watch the video, get the recipe, AND snag yourself a copy of Chef Jesse's book, POW! My Life in 40 Feasts!

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Rose Panna Cotta

Check out how easy it is to make panna cotta at home. This classic Italian dessert is perfect for Mother's Day (or any time!). I've dyed mine a pretty pink and flavored it with rose water to really have it compliment Mom (and a great Mother's Day brunch!)

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Spring Awakening

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day with my favorite mixologist - Beth Nydick! She's got a lean, green cocktail that would make St. Pat proud - without aggravating your body much! This lemon and basil infused drink has a beautiful green color, perfect for celebrating Ireland's patron saint. And is loaded with anti-inflammatory benefits of basil, along with the antibacterial/antiviral properties of lemon! Cheers!

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Baked Brie

With Super Bowl weekend upon us - it's time to up the appetizer game! This is a quick and easy app that anyone can handle! More of a "semi-homemade" dish, quality ingredients are the key here! Funky French brie, topped with sweet fig jam, and wrapped in buttery puff pastry is an awesome appetizer for your Super Bowl party - or any gathering! Give it a shot this weekend!

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Cotechino con Lenticchie

Mamma D joins us in the Cucina as we kick off 2019 with this classic Italian New Year's dish! Watch how to make cotechino con lenticchie! Lentils are a tradition in Italy for the New Year because their shape looks like coins, representing wealth and abundance for the new year! Happy New Year! Salute!

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Charcuterie Board

Check out how I build the perfect charcuterie board! This is an easy way to entertain guests over the holidays and makes a great dish to bring to a party as well! You can use my exact idea or tailor what you serve to fit any home, party and budget!

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