Category: Christmas

Almond Ricotta Cannoli Filling

Almond Ricotta Cannoli Filling

This filling can be used for so many different dessert or just eat it all by itself with a spoon. We use it to fill our gluten-free, baked Cannoli Shells. Ingredients: 1 cup raw almonds 3/4 cups water 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2-3/4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup shaved dark chocolate or tiny chocolate chips…

Cuccidati, Italian Fig Cookies, Gluten-Free

  Holidays are about traditions and treats. When I learned about all the Christmas cookies Gary’s family used to make, I was inspired to get baking. One of those cookies is the Cuccidati, the Italian Fig Cookie. Gary has reminisced about it many times. I never had one. Gary’s sister recently told us she was…

Vegan Panettone

  Enjoy this sweet bread loaf for special occasions like Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s. Aquafaba makes it light and moist.   Ingredients 3 packages of active dry yeast 1/4 cup sugar (evaporated cane juice) 1/2 cup lukewarm water 6 Tablespoons Aquafaba 1 tablespoon soy lecithin 1/2 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon…

Osso Vita (Vegan Osso Buco)

We love taking old favorite recipes and making them vegan. One recipe that Gary’s been wanting to recreate, vegan-style, is the Italian classic Osso Buco (translated from Italian literally means “bone hole”) like the dish he loved so much at Harry’s Bar in Venice. Here is the recipe, salty and chewy, right down to the…

Vegan Cannoli

Here is the filling we use in our gluten-free Cannoli Shells. 1 lb firm tofu (about 2 cups) 1 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup thick cashew cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon orange zest 1/4 cup shaved dark chocolate or tiny chocolate chips or 1/4 cup diced REAL “candied” fruit (2 Tablespoons each of…

Vegan Polenta Torta

We enjoy making polenta and Gary told me about a secret family recipe of his Aunt Bing’s called Polenta Torta. I love making cakes, and this savory polenta layer cake sounded so gooey and good. I never had the chance to try Aunt Bing’s original recipe but this vegan version takes the cake! If you…

Risotto Veganese

Risotto Veganese is our vegan version of the braised rice dish from Northern Italy, an adaptation of Risotto Milanese. The distinctive ingredient in both the classic version and ours is a good quality saffron from Spain. Spanish saffron will set you back around $20 an ounce in a specialty food store. It may be a…

Bellini

The Bellini, one of Italy’s most famous cocktails, is made ​​with sparkling white wine (Prosecco) and pureed white peaches (succo di pesca). If peach puree is not available try pear or another fruit nectar. The well-loved drink was invented in Italy in 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani, head bartender and owner of perhaps the most famous…

Vegan Carpaccio (in the manner of Harry’s Bar, Venice)

32 organic sun dried tomatoes 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 balsamic vinegar 1 Tablespoon Herbes de Provence 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup capers vegan carpaccio mayonnaise sauce (recipe below) (Serves 8) Rehydrate tomatoes overnight in olive oil, vinegar and Herbes de Provence. Prepare the sun dried tomatoes Take two pieces of parchment paper…