Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (nam chim kai)

Sometimes in Italy I take a break from a italian food and enjoy another ethnic food like Asian! But often I cannot find all of the ingredients, in that case I make my own! That was the case with this Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, in Thailand its called nam chim kai. It is used as a dipping sauce, a marinade and for stir-fry’s.

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Homemade Pizza in an outdoor wood fire pizza oven

Margarita Pizza, simply mozzarella and tomato

Our new house in Italy came equipped with an outdoor pizza oven and a grill, but I have to admit I was a little intimidated by it! The idea is novel and romantic but how, pray tell, does someone actually use an outdoor pizza oven? I grew up with my mom making homemade pizza every week, I shouldn’t be so nervous, but Italians have this affect on me, they always make things seem complicated and make me second guess my cooking abilities. Could an outdoor pizza oven really be that complicated? Is Italian pizza dough really that different then my moms pizza in the electric oven? I was afraid to find out.

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Mexican Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Mexican Enchiladas, beans and rice

We are finally back “home” in Italy after two days of traveling and three days of jet lag. It’s been a whirlwind of getting our cell phones running, updating our Permesso di Sorggiono (Permission to stay in Italy filed at the local commune) and checking on my Citizenship documents. We have eaten the pizza, sipped the cappuccino’s, devoured the Cornetto (breakfast pastries) and slurped the gelatos. We reunited with friends over apperetivo and pasta.  

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Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros

(Mexican Fried Eggs with Red Sauce, Corn tortillas and cheese) Keto Adaptable!

I mentioned Huevos Rancheros in a previous post when I made Posole and I was describing all the wonderful things you could make with Enchilada sauce. I decided that I should write a post on how to make Huevos Rancheros since it is one of my favorite breakfast or brunch recipes.

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Grandma Eleanor’s Beef & Spinach Ravioli

Ravioli Making

So today is the day that we introduce the newest members of our family to our family tradition of making homemade ravioli. This year my niece AND nephew each got married! What a crazy year for my sister and her husband as their busy household welcomed two new members and experienced the hustle and bustle of dating and marriage. Only to be followed up with the quiet days of being (almost) empty nesters. They still have one lovely teenage daughter at home.

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Keto Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce and peanut butter

Wow! This is so easy I don’t even think I should write a blog about it. But it is also so good that I think everyone on Keto should know about it. My husband said it is what made his Keto turkey dinner so enjoyable. Of course, I’m sure my Cauliflower “mashed potatoes” and Turkey helped too!

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Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter

Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Butter

Autumn is gently rolling in and the late summer harvest of Pumpkins has arrived. I love when I start to see the pumpkins with their large spheres and pale pink skins start to show up at the farmers market. The pumpkins here are different than our American version that are orange skinned. The pumpkins in Italy have pale skin and dark orange interiors. They call them ‘zucca” and this is my favorite variety.

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Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce

Eggs Benedict

Its Sunday morning and the perfect time to catch up from the hectic week and enjoy some down time. What better way than a slow and easy breakfast with friends or family? Ahhh, a lazy Sunday morning with a lingering cup of coffee and soft poached eggs under a blanket of  velvety, decedent Hollandaise Sauce. It is a sign of true love and friendship when you get up early and prepare this beautiful breakfast to the delight of your loved ones.

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Spiced Chickpea salad

Roasted Chickpea Salad

This is a great warm Autumn salad, especially when you want all of your veggies but don’t want to eat something cold on those chilly days. The warm roasted cauliflower, spiced chick peas and creamy tahini dressing really will warm up your Fall menu!

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