Crostata di castagne, cioccolato e pere (chestnut, chocolate and pear tart) – Valle d’Aosta Print Prep time 1 hour 10 mins Cook time 40 mins Total time 1 hour 50 mins This is my husband’s favourite dessert. It makes the best use of local ingredients in Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta in the autumn…
Pere al vino rosso (pears poached in red wine) – Piemonte
Pere al vino rosso (pears poached in red wine) Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 1 hour Total time 1 hour 10 mins This is a traditional local dish from Piemonte using the local variety of pear, Martin Sec. The pears are poached in red wine sweetened with sugar and flavoured with…
BIGNÈ DI SAN GIUSEPPE (BEIGNETS) – Campania
BIGNÈ DI SAN GIUSEPPE (BEIGNETS) Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 45 mins Total time 50 mins The 19th of March is the Festa di San Giuseppe in Italy in honour of Joseph, Jesus Christ’s step-father. It is celebrated as Father’s Day and a type of doughnut, Bignè di San Giuseppe is…
Fichi secchi al cioccolato (chocolate dipped dried figs)- Calabria
Fichi secchi al cioccolato (chocolate dipped dried figs)- Calabria Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 50 mins Total time 1 hour Categories: Vegetarian, Gluten free, Dairy free*use dairy free chocolate, Quick and EasyWhen I first tried dried figs dipped in chocolate, I found a surprisingly familiar crunch. The figs were stuffed with…
Arance candite con cioccolato (chocolate dipped candied oranges)
Arance candite con cioccolato (chocolate dipped candied oranges) Print Prep time 72 hours Cook time 1 hour 20 mins Total time 73 hours 20 mins Categories: Gluten-free, Dairy-free*use dairy free chocolate, Vegan, Kids The first thing you will notice about candied oranges is that they are beautiful. The oranges are cut in half…
Bongo / Profiteroles (cream puffs) – Toscana
Bongo / Profiteroles (cream puffs) – Toscana Print Prep time 30 mins Cook time 45 mins Total time 1 hour 15 mins Categories: Kids, Vegetarian Profiteroles are everyone’s favourite. While profiteroles and choux pastry are generally considered to be of French origin (think eclairs), they were invented by one of Catherine de’ Medici’s…
Choux pastry (pasta beignet)
Choux pastry (pasta beignet) Print Prep time 15 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 45 mins Choux pastry is a versatile recipe which can be used for both sweet and savoury creations. It is most famously used in eclairs and cream puffs (profiteroles/bongo) filled with cream, custard or mousse and croquemnbouche coated…
Chocolate mousse (mousse al cioccolato)
Chocolate mousse (mousse al cioccolato) Print Prep time 15 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 30 mins Categories: Gluten free, Kids, Vegetarian, Quick and Easy Chocolate mousse is always a crowd pleaser and is an easy dessert for a dinner party because it can be prepared in advance. It can also be…