Fig and Pistachio Frangipane Tart

I am a summer person. I was born in summer. My true self seems to come to life at the early signs of the warmer months approaching. I hardly ever feel the heat, in spite of being feisty and hot-blooded, I don’t tend to perspire in excess either. Alas, summer is gradually fading here in Australia,…

Buttermilk, Olive Oil and Chocolate Chips Tea Cake

Ah, the joys of lazy Sunday mornings! Sleeping in, waking up rested and in a pure state of relax, indulging in a long, blissful shower, perhaps even a facial mask and a hair treatment. All followed by a generous slice of moist cake to joyfully dunk into a creamy cappuccino. Naturally, as the mother of…

Home-made Panettone with Figs and White Wine

For us Italians, very little speaks of Christmas as loudly as this dome-shaped famous bread. In fairness, to call it “bread” is a little far-fetched… May this be because of the generous presence of butter, eggs, sugar and dried fruits….yes, let’s be frank here, it’s a cake, and a very rich one! At Christmas though,…

Christmas Meringue Nests and Wreaths (mini X’mas Pavlovas, anyone?)

You know Christmas is in the air when you rummage the cupboard for ground cloves to be used in conjunction with brown sugar. Those two best friends create that unique scent that bring the frivolities of the holiday season ever so close. Think Christmas fruit cakes, mulled wine and puddings all sorts. Or, in this…

Hazelnut Amaretti (Amaretti alle Nocciole)

Just when I thought I couldn’t make Amaretti because I was out of almond meal (and in no way inclined to take a trip to the supermarket with child and toddler in tow) I found a half-packet of hazelnut meal hidden in the cupboard. The idea struck me immediately, but what if it wouldn’t work? Good news,…

Golden Syrup Chocolate and Oats cookies

Imagine biting into a golden, soft cookie studded with perfect white and dark chocolate pearls. Imagine tasting its buttery and slightly syrupy  crumb, as it softly dissolves in your mouth. Imagine a cookie dough that takes 5 minutes to make and 10 minutes to bake… Yes, this delectable little nugget can be yours in just…

Chocolate Covered Caramels

My dear choc-addicts, this post is dedicated to you! Over a month ago I posted a photo of  Chocolate Caramels on my Facebook page announcing that the recipe for it would shortly follow… As it often is, life got in the way and a good 5 weeks later…here it is! I’m sorry I let you down,…

Egg-free Oat and Chocolate cookies

As I start typing this post, I need to stop, reach into the cookie tin and help myself to my third one… They are that good! Make sure you have a nice Cappuccino or Earl Gray tea to dunk them in… This recipe is so easy and the absence of eggs is not, by any…

Biscotti with Blood orange and Macadamia nuts

This is not my first Biscotti post. The truth is, the flavor combinations that will deliver a spectacular Italian biscuit are so many that I could keep testing recipes for months and still know there are many more to explore. The original Cantuccini, or Biscotti di Prato recipe, calls for almonds and vanilla, a marriage…

Apple and Sultana Tart (Crostata di mele e uvetta)

This is one of my “Desert Island” dishes. I guess it’s because Mamma used to make this a lot when we were little ,and to me it still tastes of home and lazy Sundays snuggled up on the couch watching cartoons, fighting with my brother and my sister over the last slice of crostata. Legend has it…