This Scallops Baked Italian Style recipe was developed by my brother-in-law, Sonny.
He was a fabulous chef.  He would make this every Christmas Eve.
It will become a family favorite for you too.

Ingredients;
12oz -16oz sea scallops
2/3 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
6 TBLS unsalted butter, soft, but not melted
2 cloves of fresh garlic, crushed
1 TSP chopped parsley and a sprinkle
2 TBLS grated Romano cheese
Lemon slices for garnish

Directions;
Preheat oven to 400.
Place scallops in one layer in a lipped baking pan.
Mix all the other ingredients, except the lemon, and spread the paste like mixture over the scallops.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are bubbling and the bread crumb mixture is lightly brown.
Garnish with lemon slices and a sprinkle of parsley.

A fresh artichoke is intimidating to some, not only how to eat them but also how to cook them. Hopefully I will explain and picture the basics so you will try Grilled Artichokes. There are a few ways to cook artichokes. This one is steamed then grilled.
A stuffed version is also in the blog recipe list.

Ingredients;
3 whole fresh artichokes
3 TBLS unsalted butter
2 TBLS olive oil
1 TBLS Kosher salt
1/2 fresh lemon

Directions;
Wash and trim the artichoke except leave the stem on and cut them in half. Otherwise follow the balance of directions for trimming as stated under the blog recipe “stuffed artichokes”.
Place the trimmed artichokes in a pot with 1″ of water. Cover and steam for 30 minutes or until a leaf pulls out easily. While they are steaming melt the butter and oil together. Remove them from the pot and baste them with the butter mix.
Place them on the grill about a medium high flame. Grill for 5-10 minutes turning them. Serve in a platter with fresh lemon juice squeezed over them and a sprinkle of kosher salt.

My buddy Brian gave me this recipe and I added my touch to it.
Leg of Lamb is a traditional dinner served on Easter Sunday for many religions and especially the Greeks and Italians. The marinade cuts the strong lamb taste and makes the roast much more pleasing to the pallet. Serve with any sides you like as the lamb lends itself to just about any side dish.

Ingredients;
Blend together…
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup lemon juice
4 garlic cloves
******************
5LB leg of lamb
Marinate lamb over night with the above ingredients.

Preheat oven to 350.
Place the lamb in a roasting pan.
Spoon some of the marinade over the lamb and add 2 garlic cloves , sliced and placed in slits into lamb.
In the roasting pan add;
a branch each of fresh rosemary & thyme
6 potatoes quartered
Add water to pan if needed while roasting
Roast for 30 minutes per pound or until lamb temp is 165-170.
Baste often.
Serve with mint jelly.
Serves about 8 people

This scallops and lobster oreganata recipe is a classic Italian dish served especially on Christmas Eve. You can use the breadcrumb mixture on just about any type of shellfish or flat fish.

Ingredients;
1LB raw scallops, the large sea type are best for this recipe
2 raw lobster tails cut in half lengthwise
1 cup breadcrumbs, seasoned or not
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 TSP dried or fresh oregano, minced
1 small clove garlic, mashed
1/2 tsp lemon zest from one lemon
2 TSP fresh parsley, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil + extra for drizzle
1/4 cup dry white wine
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions;
Preheat the oven to 425.
Choose an ovenproof pan large enough to fit the shell fish in one layer.
Drizzle some oil and add the wine to the oven pan until it is coated.
Mix together the remaining ingredients, except the shell fish, until it looks like wet sand. Place the shell fish in the roasting pan in a single layer. Spoon the breadcrumb mixture over each piece. Drizzle with oil and bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes until the shell fish is white and no longer transparent. Turn onto broil if you need to lightly brown the breadcrumbs.
Squeeze a lemon over the fish and serve.

These Mexican wedding cookies just melt in your mouth. They are suitable for all occasions. They keep well in a tin placed in a cool area. Just refresh them before serving with a dusting of more confectioners sugar.

Ingredients;
½ cup pecan pieces
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
pinch of salt
1 cup unsalted butter
½ TSP vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions;
Place pecans, 1 cup of the sugar and salt in food processor and blend until nuts are ground fine. Cut the butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add it to nut mixture with processor running. Process until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Add flour and continue blending, using pulse mechanism of processor. Shape the  dough into a ball and place in a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Scoop dough with tablespoon and form 1-inch balls by rolling dough between palms (lightly flour hands, if necessary).
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place balls 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake 15 minutes or until the cookies barely begin to brown.
Cool for 10 minutes. Roll the cookies in the remaining sugar.

These Italian Sesame cookies are a classic.  They can be found in nearly every bakery in the northeast.
They are great for dunkin in espresso.

Ingredients;
2 cups unbleached flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 TSP baking powder
1/2 LBS unsalted butter, (2 sticks)
1 XLRG egg
1 TSP vanilla or almond extract
1 cup raw sesame seeds
1/2 cup milk

Directions:
PREHEAT OVEN 350.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the sugar and butter. Then add the egg and extract. Add the flour, baking powder and mix. Shape the dough like a meatloaf and refrigerate for about 2 hours for easy handling. Divide the dough in half. Cut thick slices and shape into one and a half inch rounds with a slight oblong shape. Brush with the milk and dip into the sesame seeds.
Bake sesame side up for about 15-20 minutes or until slightly brown.

This Cuban Citrus-Marinated Pork Shoulder Roast is mouth watering good and is fall off the bone tender. (Pernil Asado con Mojo) The pork shoulder is soaked overnight in a citrus mojo marinade. Cuban Roast Pork Pernil is a very traditional holiday meal with many Latino variations.

Ingredients;
1/2 cup grapefruit juice
1/2 cup  lime juice
1/4 cup white vinegar
10 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 medium onions, sliced
1 TBLS dried oregano
1 TBLS ground cumin
1 TSP pepper
3 TBLS coarse salt
3 TBLS olive oil
8-10 LB pork shoulder

Directions;
Combine the juices, vinegar, garlic, onions, oregano, cumin, pepper and 1 TBLS of the salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Dry the pork and rub it all over with the remaining salt.  Place the pork skin side up in a high sided roasting pan that will fit in your refrigerator. Pour half the marinade around the pork but not on the skin. Cover with foil and marinate for 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.  Keep the remaining marinade in a covered bowl refrigerated.
Preheat the oven to 400.  Rub olive oil on the skin. Place the pork skin side up in the oven for 30 minutes, uncovered.
Then cover the pork and reduce the oven to 275 for 5 hours.
Then uncover and turn the oven up to 375 for 1 hour more.
A thermometer placed in the thickest part should read 170.
Let the pork rest for 30 minutes when done before peeling away the skin and removing the bone.  Shred the meat in pieces.
Boil the remaining marinade in a sauce pot for about 5 minutes.
Serve the meat shredded with the cooked marinade and onions on top.

Ravioli with pink sauce is a classic Sunday dinner in an old Italian family gathering.
I bought these ravioli. If you don’t have a store that carries fresh ravioli then I suggest a frozen brand.  The “Parla” brand was an excellent choice. Stuffed with the classic ricotta mixture.  I doubt you will have any leftovers.

The pink sauce is a variation on my Marinara Sauce. Just puree the tomatoes and the last 10 minutes add 1/2-2/3 cup heavy cream. Cook the ravioli according to the package directions.
Top with the sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and parsley.

This refreshing Bellini brunch cocktail is easy and very pleasing to the pallet.

Ingredients;
4oz Prosecco (Italian champagne)
2oz peach nectar or puree
1 TBLS peach schnapps
Peach slices

Directions;
Pour the peach nectar/puree into a tall wine glass or flute.
Add the schnapps and gently pour in the Prosecco.
Decorate with a slice of peach on or in the glass.

This fettuccine alfredo recipe cooks up in a few minutes and is so rich and creamy. Another variation is; in another pan, sear shrimp and/or bay scallops a few minutes until cooked then add them to the cooked pasta dish.

A very hearty dish for the holidays too.

Ingredients;
12oz-16oz Fettuccine, cooked according to the pkg directions
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 cup light cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 lb (one stick) unsalted butter
1 egg yolk
1 TBLS chopped fresh parsley

Directions;
Cook the pasta while making the cream sauce. Add the creams together with the egg yolk and beat together. In a large frying pan melt the butter. Add the cream and half of the cheese. Cook for a few minutes until barely bubbling. Drain the pasta and toss with the cream sauce. Add the remaining Parmesan cheese and gently toss.
Add the seafood variation mentioned above if you like.
Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve immediately.

This snow white cake and icing cup cake recipe was popular when I was a little girl.

A friend mentioned that his Mom use to make Winter Snow White Cupcakes for his birthday.
So I thought I would make it and share with my pantry followers.
The icing is so fluffy and pleasant tasting. Not too sweet and very soft. Great for decorating with holiday sprinkles, coconut flakes or candied cherries. It makes for a stunning presentation.

Ingredients for the cake;
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, room temp
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 TSP baking powder
1/4 TSP salt
3/4 cup egg whites, about 6 eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 TSP vanilla
12 cup cupcake pan, with liners

Directions;
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Combine egg whites, milk and vanilla extract. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape bowl and beater often. I use a large ice cream scoop to keep the portions consistent, measure the batter into each cupcake liner.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick comes our clean. Cool and frost.

Boiled Fluffy White Frosting
Ingredients;
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 TSP cream of tartar
2 large egg whites, at room temp
1 TSP vanilla
Your chosen decoration

Directions;
In a saucepan, stir together the sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbly.
In a medium mixing bowl, whip the egg whites and vanilla to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar mixture while whipping constantly until stiff peaks form, about 7 to 10 minutes. Frost your cupcakes and decorate as desired.

A fresh stuffed artichoke is intimidating to some, not only how to eat them but also how to cook them. Hopefully I will explain and picture the basics so you will try both. There are a few ways to cook artichokes. This one is stuffed.

Another is Roman style which steams them whole with lemon and oil, not stuffed.
They are truly a gourmet delight when prepared properly.
You can also use a crock pot for this recipe.

Ingredients;
2 large fresh artichokes(the leaves will be tightly closed when fresh)
1 1/2 cups of Italian flavored bread crumbs
2 TBLS parsley, minced
2 TSP garlic powder, not salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions;
Mix the bread crumbs, parsley, garlic powder and cheese together, set aside.

Wash the artichokes and cut off the stem at the base of the leaves (peel the stem and add it to the pot for cooking)and enough of the top to cut off the pointed ends of the first row of top leaves. Then with kitchen scissors trim just the tops of all the leaves. Rinse the inside leaves pulling them open while running them under water. Set the artichoke upright and sprinkle inside all the leaves and top with the bread crumb mixture. I use a grapefruit spoon as pictured, but any type will do.

Place the artichokes in a pot and pour some of the olive oil over each one. Fill the pot about 1/4 up the sides of the artichokes with water. Cover and simmer on low for 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the size of the artichoke. At this point you could use a crock pot.
They are done when the middle leaves pull out easily. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with a lemon wedge if you like.
You eat them by pulling the leaves off and placing them in your mouth and scrapping the leave with your teeth as you pull them out of your mouth. Once all the leaves are off there is a center with a fuzzy top. Peel away the fuzz and what is left is called the heart. It is and well as the stem completely eatable and so tasty.

There are many variations of Italian Cold Antipasto. The name alone says “before pasta”. What I have assembled is the traditional style I grew up with. Be creative and add your family favorites to the dish.
Half the attraction are the colors and textures when the dish is assembled making it a work of art!!

Ingredients;
1LB fresh Mozzarella, sliced
1LB Italian Pannello or Provolone cheese, sliced
1 large jar roasted red peppers or mix with yellow or roast your own
1 box frozen artichoke hearts
6 fresh basil leaves
1/2LB Prosciutto, DiParma is the best
1/4LB Sicilian Salami
1/2LB assorted olives
10 Grape tomatoes
Small can Anchovies rolled with capers
Romaine lettuce leaves, enough to cover the platter
A good quality Balsamic vinegar & extra virgin olive oil
Italian bread

Use a large platter that can accommodate all the ingredients. Defrost the artichoke hearts. Toss them with a little olive oil. Rinse the peppers if you use jarred and pat dry. Cut them into 1 inch slices. Roll the Prosciutto into logs. Lay the lettuce leaves to cover the platter. Assemble the platter as you like, mixing the colors and textures making the dish mouth watering good.
Slice the basil thin and sprinkle over the platter.
Serve with the dressing on the side and a good crusty Italian bread.

This  recipe for Stuffed Ricotta Shells is rich and creamy.

The recipe originates from the Lazio (Rome)region of Italy. It’s easy to make with a little patience and freezes well for a quick work night meal. There are many ways to stuff these; ricotta, meat sauce, sausage with herbs and bread crumb w/ bechamel sauce, etc…

Make my recipe for Marinara sauce

Ingredients;
12oz box Jumbo Shells (I like Barilla)
2 LB container of whole milk ricotta
Two 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup grated Romano cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 TBLS minced fresh parsley
ground pepper to taste

Directions;
Cook the jumbo shells for 9 minutes or according to the box for boiling and then baking. Drain and rinse in a colander with cool water. Be sure all the water is out of the inside of the shell. In a mixing bowl combine all the other ingredients, leaving out half the mozzarella. Put a heavy layer of marinara sauce in a covered baking dish. Open the shell with two fingers and spoon the cheese mixture into the shell until nearly full, about two tablespoons. Fold it closed. Place the stuffed shells next to each other and fill the baking dish. Pour a generous layer of sauce over the top of the shells and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

**use low or non fat cheese to make this more health friendly

Make my Spritz (German Butter Cookie) recipe and use the press disk for a heart. Press them onto a baking sheet and gently press the tops to flatten them a little. Sprinkle the Valentine Butter Cookies with red sugar and bake. Once cooled leave them as is or make a sandwich cookie with heated raspberry jam in the middle or melted chocolate.
So yummy and buttery !!

The Linzer Tart Cookies origin is Austrian. This cookie is derived from the tart recipe.  The cut out filled with raspberry jam is colorful and shines through like a rich pastry window. I’m cutting them into heart shapes for a Valentines treat, but any round or square shape will do. You will need two cookie cutters (as pictured). One for the base and one smaller for the cut out window.

Ingredients;
2 1/3 cups all purpose unbleached flour
2/3 cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds
1/8 TSP salt
1/2 TSP lemon zest
a dash of cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter at room temp
1 cup confectioner’s sugar + 1 cup for coating
2  X-large egg yolks at room temp
1 TSP vanilla
1 cup seedless raspberry jam is traditional, use strawberry or apricot if you like
Parchment paper

Directions;
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl combine flour, nuts, salt, cinnamon and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the egg yolk, vanilla, lemon and mix another minute. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.  Divide the dough in half and flatten like a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325. On a lightly floured surface roll out one disk to about 1/8″ thick. Dip your cookie cutter into flour and cut you shapes using a smaller cutter for the middle window cut out on half of them. Place on parchment liner baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes, this helps firm up the shape for baking.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until firm but still pale in color. Cool on a cookie rack. Slightly heat the jam and brush a TSP size onto each cookie bottom. Then place the cookie with the cut out on top and press gently. Coat with confectioner’s sugar and then fill the assembled cookie window with a little more jam.
Let them set for 1.5-2 hours before storing them in an air tight container with waxed paper in between layers, refrigerated.

This Italian Biscotti Cookies recipe is versatile. Although the classic was made with Anise flavoring you can change the flavor and nuts to anything you like. Maple, pecan, lemon, almond, chocolate , dip them or glaze the edge..

Ingredients;
2 cups all purpose flour, I use unbleached
1 TSP baking powder
1/4 TSP salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed firm
2 eggs
1 TSP almond extract or any kind you  like
3/4 cup almonds or any nuts you like or omit them
**If you want to  make these chocolate, add 3 heaping TBLS unsweetened cocoa and a 1/4 cup mini semi sweet chips to the flour mixture.
**Bakers makes chocolate chips in a microwavable cup. It’s great for dipping.

GLAZE;
Mix togther…..
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 TBLS melted butter
1/2 TSP almond extract or any kind you like
4-5 TSP milk

Heat the oven to 350. Combine the dry ingredients and set aside.   Cream the butter, sugars, then add the extract and eggs. Mix until well combined.  Add the nuts and mix until just combined.
Divide the dough in 1/2 and on a floured surface roll into 1.5 ” thick and about 12″ long logs.  Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper is best.  Bake for about 20-25 mins until lightly brown and the logs have cracks in them.  Let cool for about 15 minutes before slicing them with a serrated knife on a slight angle about 1/2 ” thick.  If you want to toast them lay them on the side in a sheet pan and bake at 375 for about 5 minutes turning them once.  Let them cool and then glaze the edge, dip them in nuts, chocolate or whatever you like.

This Jan Hagel cookie originates from Holland. They are crisp and buttery rich strips with a baked- on nut glaze. These also store for weeks in a tin in a cool place.

Ingredients;
1 cup unsalted butter at room temp
1 cup sugar
1 egg, separated
2 cups all purpose flour, I use unbleached
1/2 TSP cinnamon
1 TBLS water
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped very fine

Directions;
Heat oven to 350. Mix the butter, sugar and egg yolk. Add the flour and cinnamon until dough comes into a ball. Press dough evenly into a 15x10x1″ pan. Beat the egg white and water until frothy. Brush on dough and sprinkle the walnuts evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until very lightly brown. Cool just 5 minutes and slice into 2×2″ strips.

This Roasted Turkey and Sage/Sausage Stuffing is a special edition post to the pantry.

Roasting a turkey is all about keeping it moist. Years ago you heard of people roasting in a paper bag. Now we have less flammable alternatives, like browning bags made for oven temps.
My recipe for both is basic and you can certainly add different spices as you please.

Ingredients:
Turkey, any size, fresh or frozen, defrosted
One pkg Reynolds turkey size browning bags
Bell’s Seasoning (it’s the little yellow box with the turkey on it)
Ground sage
1/2 stick of butter
2 carrots peeled and cut into 3 pcs.
2 celery stalks, cut into 3 pcs.
1 large onion, quartered

Directions
Wash the turkey and smooth the butter under the breast skin and all over the turkey skin too. Liberally sprinkle the sage and Bell’s seasoning all over the turkey. If you are going to stuff the turkey do it now. If you stuff the turkey then tie the legs together. You can add a meat thermometer to the breast area if you wish. Turkey needs to be 180 degrees when done. Prepare the oven bag according to the directions. Place the turkey in the bag.
Place the cut veggies all around the turkey. Close the bag as directed on the browning bag box. Roast according to the time and temperature indicated on the browning bag box and your size turkey. Once the turkey is done let it sit for about an hour before carving.

The Basic Stuffing;
2  12oz Bags bread cubes, unseasoned if possible
1 TBLS Bell’s Seasoning (little yellow box next to the Thanksgiving groceries)
1 TBLS ground sage
1 large onion, minced
4 stalks celery, cut fine
1 stick of butter, unsalted
4 cups unsalted or low sodium chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 LB Italian sausage, if you get links remove the casing

Options;
** you can add a few tablespoons of chopped cooked mushrooms etc..**

Directions;
In a pot big enough to hold all the stuffing, sauté the veggies and sausage in the butter until soft but not brown. Breaking up the sausage as it cooks.
Add the broth to the pot and heat to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings and the bread cubes to the pot. Mix together and then add the beaten egg. Mixing it thoroughly. Place stuffing in the turkey loosely or bake in a covered pan that has been greased. Bake in the covered pan for about 30 minutes at 350.

This Raspberry shortbread cookie is a take on the Scottish shortbread. They are so buttery and easy to make. Very festive for the holidays too. They can be stored in a tin in a cool place for weeks.

Ingredients;
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 TSP vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour, I use unbleached
Raspberry jam, seedless if you like

Directions;
Heat oven to 350. Mix all but the flour. Add the flour slowly. Roll into 1″ balls, indent the middle and add raspberry jam to the indent. Place them 2′ apart. Baked on parchment paper is best for about 14-16 minutes until they are slight brown on the edge.
Once cooled, you can leave them plain or drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate over them as pictured.

This pumpkin pie recipe is extra easy if you use a refrigerated rolled pie crust.

It comes out perfect every time.

Ingredients;
Two 15oz cans of pure plain pumpkin
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 TSP salt
2 Tsp ground cinnamon
1 TSP ground ginger
1/2 TSP ground cloves
4 large eggs
Two 12oz cans of whole evaporated milk
1 Use my pie crust recipe OR refrigerated rolled pie crust (I prefer the Immaculate brand)
3 strips of foil

Directions;
Have the pie crust at room temperature. Mix all ingredients together until blended. Roll the pie crust out slightly. Press the pie crust into a 10″ pie plate and form the edges by pinching the crust between your fingers. Pour the mixture into the pie crust filling just below the crust edge. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes then reduce the temp to 350 and bake for 40-50 minutes more until the center is puffed and a knife comes out clean. Cool and serve with fresh whipped heavy cream.

This Bolognese meat sauce is a classic from the city of Bologna, Italy. I’m sharing this with you but the true author is Marcella Hazen. She brings to you so many classic Italian dishes in her cookbooks.  This meat sauce takes time to simmer but it literally melts in your mouth and is so creamy tasting. Start this in a heavy stock pot and once it’s put together transfer it to a crock pot, it will cook gently as it is suppose to. It freezes well so double the recipe for a quick work night dinner.

Ingredients;
2 TBLS chopped onion
3 TBLS unsalted butter
3 TBLS olive oil
2 TBLS chopped celery
2 TBLS chopped carrot
3/4 LB ground beef, chuck or meat from the neck
1/2 TSP salt
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup whole milk
1/8 TSP nutmeg
2 cups canned whole Italian tomatoes in their juice, roughly chopped
12oz-16oz cooked pasta, see recommendations below

Directions;

In a heavy stock pot on med heat add the butter, oil and onion, saute a few minutes until just becoming translucent. Add the celery and carrot. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the beef and salt breaking it apart with a fork. Saute just until the pink is faded but DO NOT brown it. Add the wine and turn the heat up stirring until the wine has nearly evaporated. Turn the heat down to med and add the milk and nutmeg stirring until the milk has evaporated.  Add the tomatoes and stir. Once the tomatoes come to a simmer pour the mixture into a crock pot and cook UNCOVERED for about 3-5 hours OR you can keep it in the original pot and lower the heat to barely a bubble for about 3-4 hours.

Best served over cooked Tagliatelle or fresh if you can get it, Tortellini pasta. Sprinkled with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

A special breakfast treat for your loved ones. Valentine pancakes is a simple recipe and makes a great addition to a Valentines brunch.

Ingredients;
Make my “Buttermilk Pancakes” recipe or buy a mix if you have to.
Buy a few large heart shaped cookie cutters (available at any Target or Walmart)
Heat a griddle to 350.
Spray the form with cooking spray each time you fill it.
Place on the griddle.
Pour about 1/3 up the form with the batter.
Cook a few minutes until it is set and lightly browned.
Flip the heart form then push on the pancake to release. Let it cook a few more minutes on this side.
Serve with your favorite jam, syrup, cut strawberries or any topping you like.

I’m going to give you a few easy to do appetizers. These are great anytime, watching a game or just as a snack.

Prosciutto Rolls
12 slices of Prosciutto (the DiParma is the best)
4oz cream cheese, softened
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 TSP dried basil
small pkg fresh Arugula
1 small bottle Balsamic Glaze

Mix the ingredients except the prosciutto, arugula and the glaze.
Lay the prosciutto flat and cover with a layer of the cheese mixture.
Lay the arugula on top and then roll. Cut into 1/2 rolled pieces.
Squirt with glaze and chill until served.

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
6 eggs, hard boiled and chilled, then peeled and sliced in half
1/4 cup mayo
3 TBLS soft cream cheese
1 TSP Dijon mustard
2 TSP fresh preferred, dill weed+some for garnish
dash of salt & pepper
4oz pkg smoked salmon

Mix the egg yolks with all other ingredients except the salmon and dill for garnish until creamy. Stuff the egg white halves. Top with pieces of salmon and dill. Serve chilled.

Brie Honey Apple Bites
1 TSP lemon zest
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts for garnish
2 med apples, finely diced
1/4 cup honey
8oz round of Brie or Camembert cheese with rind, diced into 1/2″ cubes
2 pkgs prepared mini phyllo shell cups, about 24-30 cups.
Preheat oven 400.
Mix together zest, honey and apple. Place a cheese cube in each phyllo cup and top with the apple mixture.
Bake for 6-8 minutes, top with walnuts and serve warm.

This punch can be made full sugar or substitute diet for any of the ingredients or replace the champagne with ginger ale. Be sure the ingredients are all cold before mixing the punch.

Make the frozen floats the night before.
In a reg size muffin pan;
Fill 1/3 with any flavor cranberry juice and freeze. Add maraschino cherries and slices of fruit such as orange, lime, lemon or pineapple. Add water to fill the muffin cups and freeze again.
In a large punch bowl mix;
1 bottle dry champagne (Korbel is suitable)
1 liter lemon-lime seltzer
1 small frozen limeade concentrate
32oz cherry juice
2 cups orange juice

Dip the muffin pan in water to release the frozen floats and place them in the bowl along with 4 large scoops of sherbet on the top.

This Italian Sponge Drop Cookies recipe is a classic Italian holiday cookie. This recipe dates back more than 50+ years.

Ingredients;
4 eggs
1 cup Crisco, melted and cooled, measure when cool
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 TSP vanilla
Directions;
Blend until smooth. Set aside.

Ingredients;
4 cups all purpose unbleached flour
4 heaping TSP baking powder
Directions;
Sift together flour and baking powder. Add slowly to the egg mixture just until smooth and blended. Drop tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 until bottoms are slightly light brown, about 8-10 minutes. Cool and glaze tops with the glaze below.

Glaze;
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 TSP lemon or any flavor extract
2 TSP melted butter
a few drops pf milk, just enough so glaze is loose and coat the tops of the cookie. Blend together until smooth. Glaze cookie and decorate with holiday colored nonpareils. Let dry 1 hour before storing.