Ingredients:

• 9 oz of fresh or frozen ravioli
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 1 cup of water
• 1 can of Italian tomatoes
• 1 tbsp of jarred garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 onion, chopped

Directions:

Chop the onion and sauté with olive oil in a dutch oven until it is soft. Add up the oregano and garlic and sauté again for a minute with more stirring this time. Add up some canned tomatoes with all the liquid ingredients. Drain the beans and add them up as well along with the ravioli. If you happen to use frozen ravioli, then you would need to boil them first.

Let the soup boil and cook the raviolis until they become tender. You can start pouring it in bowls once the soup is done.

Photo via tasteofhome.com

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp finely chopped almonds
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp almond extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 egg whites

Directions:

First, let the egg whites stay in room temperature for about 15 minutes. Prepare the cookie sheets with some parchment paper. In a tiny bowl, combine all the cinnamon and sugar. In another medium bowl, combine the egg whites, the salt and the almond extract. Use an electric mixer to combine thoroughly.

You must add the cinnamon-sugar mix one teaspoon at a time and beat the egg whites well then fold in some of the chopped almonds. With a tablespoon, drop some rounded shapes of the meringue onto the baking sheets about 1” apart.

You must bake it at 250F for 30 minutes. When done, allow the cookies to dry inside the oven that is turned off already for another 40 minutes. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and as you peel off the cookies from the sheets, store them in very tight containers.

Photo via nibbledish.com

Ingredients:

• 3 separate eggs
• 500 ml of milk
• 70g of starched potato
• 100g of sugar
• 100g of amaretti

Directions:

Mix the sugar and potato in a bowl and gradually add the milk. Grind first the amaretti before you blend and moisten it with some milk. As it turns to paste first, press it through a mesh strainer and slowly stir in some milk mix.

Heat the creamy mixture until it thickens up. When you have let it cooled down, you can start mixing in the egg yolks; whip the egg whites and fold them. Oil up a ring mold before you put the batter. Bake under 325 F until it is firm enough already. When it is cooked, take it out of the mold, smother with some zabaione and fill the hole.

This can fit for about 4 to 6 servings.

Photo via italianintheus.blogspot.com

Ingredients

• 1-8 oz of Mascarpone cheese
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup of sweet Marsala wine
• 2 pints sliced fresh strawberries
• 4 whole strawberries for garnish

Directions:

Combine the sugar and Marsala in a bowl until all the sugar has melted. Slice up the strawberries and mix in the wine and sugar mix. Cover the entire bowl and make it chill inside the refrigerator for a number of hours. Stir it occasionally so that all the strawberries are fully covered.

When the strawberries have all been chilled, then fill up some wine glasses with the mascarpone cheese. Top it with the whole strawberries together with wine sauce and is good to serve 4.

Photo via livinginthekitchenwithpuppies.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 finely chopped sweet onion
• 6 zucchinis, peeled, chopped
• Salt and ground pepper
• 4 cups chicken stock/ canned broth
• ¼ cup cream
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

Directions:

Heat some olive oil in a large plan under medium heat. Add up the onion, stir until they get soft. Follow up the zucchinis along with some pepper and salt. Cook them altogether until they reach the color of golden brown. This would take about 5 minutes.

Bring to a simmer the stock and oregano. Cover and wait until the veggies are tender that would last for about 15 minutes. After which, you can already take away the pot from the stove.

Using a blender, puree the soup in tiny portions until they are completely smooth. Pour it all back in the pot, add the cream and let it simmer for a couple of more time. Add some pepper and salt if you like.

This soup is served best immediately but can also be stored in the refrigerator and reheated.

Photo via flickr.com

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried Thyme
• 1 tsp dried Oregano
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of mozzarella cheese that is shredded
• ¼ cup milk
• 10 eggs
• Salt and pepper
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions
• 2 potatoes

Directions:

Peel and slice the potatoes and peel and mince the onions along with the garlic cloves. Heat up a large skillet with some olive oil under medium heat. Add up some spices to the heated oil for richer flavor. Add up the potatoes, salt and pepper and cover to let cook for 3 minutes. After which, turn up the potatoes and add up the onions and sauté together until everything looks golden brown.

In the meantime, beat the eggs in a huge bowl until they are well mixed before you combine the cheese and milk. Season it up with some pepper and salt as well before stirring in some spices and garlic.

Pour this mix to the potatoes and use a spoon to mix. Turn the heat to low and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more. Place your pan inside the oven and broil it for 3 minutes until you get to see it in golden brown color. Just remember not to overcook it and serve warm.

Photo via efoodi.com

Ingredients

• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla pure extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 package of unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups of whole milk

Directions:

Pour the cup of milk into the big saucepan and combine the gelatin. Allow everything to sit and be softer in just 5 minutes. Then you must place the saucepan with low heat and stir consistently for complete 5 minutes until all the gelatin has been dissolved. Add the rest of the cream, milk and vanilla.

Now turn the heat and cook as you stir frequently. Stop when it starts to bubble but make sure that it does not boil. When you put in the sugar and it is completely dissolved, then you can remove the saucepan from the heat. Let it cool for 10 minutes and prepare the ramekins.

Spray all the ramekins over the cooled mix and chill inside the refrigerator for a total of 2 hours and even as long as overnight. Use a cooking spray.

Photo via myrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup milk
• 5 oz gorgonzola sauce
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• ¼ cup of cream
• 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Some salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Put all the milk into your pan or bowl (pyrex) and add in three tablespoons of butter which is cut into pieces. Then place the whole bowl inside the microwave oven and heat it up until the butter melts all the way and the milk gets warm enough. Stir and combine the gorgonzola sauce and mix it until the cheese melts again with the milk to achieve a pasty texture.

Add some cream and blend until it creates a smooth texture with the use of a blender. Put in some salt and pepper for the right taste and you can pour it over any kind of pasta that you have prepared. If you have made that is good enough for more than one serving, then you can just refrigerate for several days more and just reheat it in the microwave all over again.

Photo via foodnetwork.com

There’s nothing more exciting than a saccharine food that comes at the end of a luscious meal. And here is a perfect dessert to complete the course. Presenting the authentic Italian Dessert, the Ginger Biscotti with nutty Pistachio.

.Ingredients

• 2/3 cup almonds
• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup coarsely chopped pistachios

Directions

1. Grease and flour one large baking sheet.
2. Finely grind the almonds with the flour, ginger and baking powder in a food processor.
3. Beat the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and well blended. Add the grated orange peel, egg and vanilla and beat well. Mix in the dry ingredients and beat until just blended. Stir in the pistachios.
4. Divide the dough in half. Using floured hands, roll each half on a lightly floured surface into a 1/2 inch log. Arrange logs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing 4 inches apart. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush dough logs with beaten egg and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons white sugar. Bake logs until deep golden brown and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Let logs cool for 10 minutes.
6. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
7. Using a serrated knife cut logs crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Arrange sliced cut side down on baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) until deep golden on top, about 12 minutes. Turn biscotti over and bake other side until deep golden, about 12 minutes. Transfer biscotti to a rack and cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

(Photo via closetcooking.blogspot.com)

It’s time to make one of the most popular Italian cakes that really tastes heaven in your mouth. It is light, creamy pastry that has the rich aroma of strong brewed coffee and enticing allusion of the liquor.

Here are the ingredients:

• 5 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup Marsala wine
• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 pound mascarpone cheese
• 2 cups strong brewed coffee, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 48 ladyfinger cookies
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

1. To make zabaglione: In the top of a double boiler, beat yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth and pale yellow. Place over simmering water and gradually beat in Marsala. Continue to beat over simmering water until soft mounds form, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cool bowl, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
2. Whip heavy cream with 2 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form. Fold in mascarpone and zabaglione. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
3. In a small bowl, combine coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar, brandy and vanilla. Arrange 16 ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of coffee mixture over each cookie. Ladyfingers should be soaked, but not crumbling. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture over the ladyfingers, and spread evenly. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cocoa. Repeat layering twice. Cover and refrigerate 5 hours before serving.

If you don’t have mascarpone, you can substitute it with 16 ounces of cream cheese combined with 1/2 cup heavy cream and 5 tablespoons sour cream.

(Photo via calibriataste.com)