Zucchini Bread

Check the video here With lots of zucchini and the addition of extra virgin olive oil this cake makes a very nutritious snack to take to the beach, parks or any other summer destination. 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 1/2 …

Torta di Mele della Nonna (Grandma’s Apple Cake)

This recipe is adapted from La Cucina Italiana magazine (Italian version; September 2020). olive oil to oil the pan4 eggs1 1/2 cups sugar (300 grams)2/3 cup butter (150 grams), soften3 1/4 cups flour (400 grams)1 tablespoon baking powder1/2 cup milk1/2 cup rum3 pounds apple, peeled and thinly sliced1 teaspoon vanilla2 teaspoons cinnamonjuice of 1 lemon …

Pan d’Arancio (Sicilian Orange Cake)

While most orange cakes are flavored with the zest or the juice of the citrus fruit, nothing goes to waste in this Sicilian version. The whole orange is processed into a puree and then added to the batter. The resulting cake is very moist and fragrant, and it has an intense citrus flavor. Enjoy! 2 …

Cranberry Bundt Cake

Adapted from "Oh, Sweet Basil" blog. I was looking for a good recipe to use fresh cranberries and this recipe inspired me. It looked very festive. I made some changes to adapt it to my taste. Since I didn't have sour cream I substitute it for 3/4 cup of whole milk. I also reduced the …

Torta alle Pere e Cacao (Pear and Chocolate Cake)

This cake is a real showstopper, specially if you are lucky to find a small pear variety such as Seckel or Forelle. They are usually available in the month of August through February. Larger varieties (Bosc, Anjou or Comice) work well for this cake but they need to be cooked before adding them to the batter. The easier way …

Parrozzo (Semolina cake from Pescara – Abruzzo)

Parrozzo is a symbol of the city of Pescara, the town in Abruzzo where my mom is from. It has been a source of inspiration for anybody who tried it, including a local poet, Gabrielle D’Anunzio, who dedicated many verses to this cake. One of the verses is even published on the packaging of this …

Bolzano Apple Cake (Torta di Mela di Bolzano)

Bolzano is the provincial capital of Alto Adige (South Tyrol) located in the northernmost part of Italy on the border with Switzerland and Austria. It is also the province of Italy where Northern European architecture, language and gastronomy blend harmoniously with Mediterranean styles. This apple cake is just an example of this cultural melting pot as it is similar …

Sbrisolana di Rabarbaro (Rhubarb crumbly cake)

Sbrisolona is a traditional crumbly cake from Mantova, in the Pianura Padana. The original recipe resembles more that of a cookie than a cake and doesn't include a filling. I created this version as an entry for a fresh produce of the month event featuring rhubarb as an ingredient. The tangy flavor and moistness of …

Tiramisu al Limoncello

This recipe comes from one of my favorite Italian pastry chefs, Salvatore De Riso, owner of the Pasticceria De Riso in the town of Midori on the Amalfi Coast. I adapted the recipe to make it easier to assemble without compromising the wonderful lemon flavor of the mascarpone lemon cream and the limoncello syrup. Although …