Italian Christmas Cake

Almost every Town or Village in Italy has some sort of Christmas cake, cookie, or pie. A very popular one is Panettone which is essentially a sweet bread, which is traditionally eaten around Christmas.
Panettone is the traditional Christmas Cake of the Milanesi, and has become the most common Christmas cake in Italy. Originating from Milan this delicious treat is great curled up with an indulgent long coffee! Their are many variations to the traditional citrus zest flavor such as with chocolate chips or completely plain - but I think the original is the best! It can be enjoyed as breakfast, afternoon tea or dessert...the perfect Italian treat!

Ingredients-

7 g active dry yeast
235 ml warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
50 g white sugar
2 eggs 120 ml
Low fat plain yogurt
5 ml vanilla extract
6 g grated lemon zest
2 g salt
500 g unbleached all-purpose flour
70 g dried currants
50 g raisins
8 g confectioners' sugar
15 g butter, melted (optional)

Directions-

In a medium bowl, combine yeast, sugar and water. Cover and let it stand 10 minutes, or until foamy.Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt. Mix well.

Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time until dough forms into a manageable ball shape.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary, until dough is soft and pliable, but not sticky. (May need up to 5 cups flour.) Place dough in a large, lightly pan-sprayed bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees ) and lightly grease a round 8-inch cake pan with butter. In a small bowl, toss dried fruit with confectioners' sugar. Punch down dough in bowl, transfer to floured surface, and knead in the fruit. Form the dough into a ball, place in prepared cake pan, cover it loosely with a dish towel, and let it rise for 30 minutes. (The loaf will rise above the pan sides.)

Brush with melted butter.Bake for 45 minutes, or until loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

You can find this in any of the Italian restaurants in Little Italy in New York .... as well as the famous other Italian pastries such as my other favorites cannolis, chocolate mousse and Italian cheesecake. ... my favorite is Sfogliatella

Happy Christmas or Buon Natale!

The Drinks Are On Me

Drink Up My Friends, the drinks are on me! Ho, Ho, Ho...

The holidays are a great excuse to drink up and be jolly.
As a vodka aficionado I am always searching for the most enjoyable vodka that I could find. And I am proud to say Titos vodka has become one of my former favorites. Of course Kettle One is still my Numero Uno.
I mostly drink Vodka in straight on the rocks or in martini's where I usually use Ketel One. Tito's has a very distinct flavor to it which I really like in my Martini's. And by the way, it's made right here in the USA.... in Austin at Texas.
Give it a try.

Eclipse di luna-Atlanta

I love Tapas Bars.Its great to go out with friends who share the same taste in food.


(All pictures belong to the restaurant website)
Eclipse di luna (Miami Circle) is a neat place.Very loud and full.I never saw an empty table all evening.

There seemed to be just one waitress and yet we were not neglected.Service was great,though there may have been other waitresses and I failed to see them !

Everybody talked about the Patatas Bravas con Romesco (Spiced Potatoes with Romesco) so it was the first thing I tried.It was a tad bit dry but the dip was great.The others at the table loved it so it may have been just me !
Another recommendation was the Ejotes Crujientes(Crispy Green Beans with sea salt) and this was perfection.Cooked thro and crispy.

My father-in-laws favorite was Calamares Fritos (Lightly Fried Calamari & Pico de Gallo ).The pico de gallo was to die for,seriously...the tomatoes just melted in your mouth!
My mother-in-laws favorite was the Costillas Espanolas(Spanish-Style Ribs in aged balsamic vinaigrette).They were very tender and fell off the bone.

A popular recommendation was the bottomless sangria and the paella that we did not try but everyone talks about it.

Prices range from 3 bucks to 6 bucks.Our total bill for 5 people came upto 80 bucks and we ate a ton !

Like Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits

(pic courtesy:red lobster)

I' m on a mission,I am looking for recipes that are similar to my favorite restaurant foods.

Heres one that promises to be just like Red Lobsters biscuits.

* 2 cups Bisquick

* 2/3 cup milk

* 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Mix bisquick, milk and cheese until a soft dough forms.
3. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Mix butter or margarine and garlic powder.
6. Brush mixture over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet.
Makes: 8 servings

Cracker Barrel Copy Cat Recipes

I found a great website for Cracker Barrel recipes
Click here

Posted by frasypoo

Cracker Barrel-Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

(Not my picture)

This is my favorite comfort food.It used to be a Wednesday nght special at Cracker Barrel but is now available throughout the week.

Its very southern,very cheesy and tastes great served over rice.

I found this copycat recipe on a very detailed search of the internet

Layer chicken breasts in 9x12 pan.

Top the chicken with cooked broccoli pieces (defrosted frozen broccoli is what cracker barrel uses).

Top the broccoli with crumbled Ritz crackers (do not crumble the Ritz cracker much).

Put in oven and bake 350 degrees around 1 hour or until chicken is done.

Top with cheese sauce.

Posted by Frasypoo

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