Easy Baked Brie 

Easy Baked Brie 





How I Miss Thanksgiving!

Living abroad in Italy is exciting and exhilarating. I met Mr. Italicano here. I have made extraordinary friends here. I started my business while living here. I love the challenges and adventure that each new day brings while living in il bel paese.  I am grateful and I am thankful each day, yet…I miss Thanksgiving!

I miss the smells from the kitchen mingling with the sweet candles burning. I miss the chaotic sounds that fill the house: the clinking and clanking in the kitchen, kids laughter in the play room and lively shouts coming from the living room after a touchdown.

Easy Baked Brie Recipe One of my favorite Thanksgiving Day foods of all time is this CONTINUE READING

How To Prepare a Beautiful Italian Aperitivo + Menu

How To Prepare a Beautiful Italian Aperitivo + Menu

For all you ladies out there, let me ask you a question. Have you ever bought a beautiful dress and a pair of heels that you absolutely love but have only worn once or twice? Maybe you splurged on the items or found them on sale, maybe you bought them for a wedding or a special date. Regardless of how much you love them, they sit at the back of your closet collecting dust while slowly making their way to becoming vintage. It’s a waste that can be avoided. You just need reasons to dress. That tagline is also the blog name of my newly acquainted fashion blogger friend Angie Nardiello (in the black dress) who suggested that we get dolled up and enjoy an aperitivo (aperitif) together.

Summer Aperitivo 1

Photo Credit: A Reason To Dress

Angie is a Canadian expat who I met through our lovely mutual American friend Adrienne (pink dress). Within the first five minutes of meeting her, she suggested putting together this summer cocktail style evening. Adrienne was to host at her beautiful house, Angie was to coordinate our outfits and I was to prepare the menu.

Summer Aperitivo 2

Photo Credit: A Reason To Dress

Here are some tips to executing a beautiful summer aperitivo:

CONTINUE READING

Baked Brie with Persimmon Sauce, Honey and Walnuts

Baked Brie with Persimmon Sauce, Honey and Walnuts

One of my favorite appetizers is baked brie. It’s simple to throw together, mouthwatering delicious and it’s always a hit at dinner parties.

Baked-Brie-with-Persimmon-Puree-and-WalnutsIt’s a classic recipe that can be adapted in many ways. Some of my favorite combinations include:

-Brown sugar and pecans-

Blueberry compote-

-Cranberry jam and toasted almond slivers- 

-Now adding to this list of favorites is pureed persimmons with Acacia honey and walnuts-

Baked-Brie-with-Persimmon-Puree-and-WalnutsI have a love hate relationship with persimmons: I love the flavor, but I hate the texture. It’s soft, squishy and the occasional “slurp” slips out when you eat a persimmon with a spoon. I despise that noise; for me it’s worse than nails on a chalkboard. How to get around this problem? READ MORE