Unlock the Italian Lifestyle: Join My Aperitivo Class! Do you ever find yourself daydreaming of the sun-soaked streets of Florence or the romantic Lake Como? There’s a reason Italy captures the hearts and imaginations of people worldwide. Beyond its beauty and rich history, the Italian lifestyle is synonymous with la dolce vita—the sweet life, where...  Read More » The post Lake Como Dolce Vita Aperitivo Class appeared first on Passion and cooking ..read more

Here’s my recipe for a hearty homemade bread with oatmeal and seeds. This bread is not only delicious but it combines the nutritional benefits of oats and mixed seeds, making it a healthy addition to your diet. Here are some key health benefits: Oats are an excellent source of dietary fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which can help reduce cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar control, and support digestive health. Different seeds provide varied benefits. Here are their general benefits: Many seeds, such as flax seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and ..read more

This lemon and ricotta plum-cake is perfect for a coffee or tea break. Actually, in Italy we love it for breakfast, too. A baked dessert, very fragrant and tasty, is perfect for your kids’ afternoon snack as well. It is so simple that you can have fun making it with your children, as well! This way you will create precious and indelible memories – at least this happened to me, when I was messing around in the kitchen with my mom and grandmother. Let’s close the parenthesis on childhood, equip ourselves with the ingredients and go to the kitchen!!! PLUMCAKE AL LIMONE E RICOTTA (LEMON AND RICOTT ..read more

Homemade Aperitivo at Lake Como video!  Aperitivo is certainly one of the most fun food experiences that you can try in Italy. It has a long history, even the Romans drank something similar to the modern aperitivo, called mulsum, consting of wine and honey. The word comes from Latin – Aperitivus– and means something that “opens the way”; in fact, it usually involves a cocktail drink (alcholic or non-alcholic) before dinner to stimulate your appetite. The consecration of aperitivo to the kingdom of Italian symbols came, however, at the beginning of the 20th century with the diffusion of so ..read more

This simple and vibrant kale salad with apples and raisins will become your go-to! It is tangy, tart, sweet, and full of flavor. If you have not tried kale yet, now may be the time. Kale is super nutritious and delicious, making it a super salad green. Kale is a highly nutritional vegetable, rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, antioxidants and folic acid (if consumed raw). The most tender kale is the one harvested in late autumn and early winter after the first frosts. It is one of my favorite winter salads. You can enjoy it as a main dish (larger portion) or side dish to accompanied roast turk ..read more

This Pumpkin Flan is creamy and delicious, one of the best pumpkin appetizer recipes you should try this fall, perfect even for your Thanksgiving meal! Actually, it is good as a side dish as well, with some chicken or turkey meat, for example. My favorite is with bechamel sauce topped off with truffle paste. If you don’t like truffle, you can add some Gorgonzola cheese or any other topping with piquant flavor to highlight the sweetness of pumpkin. Flan is a beautiful custard recipe you can find in so many cuisines across the world. From Europe to Asia and all the way to South America. The sign ..read more

The conditions of our skin and how it ages are influenced by a number of factors with genetics and lifestyle playing a major role. Prolonged exposure to the sun, smoking, alcohol, poor hydration and a diet rich in processed and sugary food take their toll. Food has a tremendous effect, the secret to younger-looking skin could lie in your kitchen. It is easy: you can choose fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, E and A, minerals and antioxidants. Papaya is one of my all-time favorite beauty foods. It is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, and carotenoids (lycopene). Together, these hi ..read more

Aperitivo time – Do you want to surprise your guests with a homemade aperitivo? The preparation is of these mini strudel is quick and simple, and I recommend using puff pastry to speed things up. The traditional strudel dough is made of flour, oil and water and is pulled very thin, until it’s almost transparent; this is the secret and also the hardest part! You can use the filo dough too. Robiola is an Italian soft-ripened cheese of the Stracchino family made with varying proportions of cow’s, goat’s and sheep milk. I love goat robiola, is very tasty and healthy. My favorite one is the organic ..read more

Quinoa, avocado and mango salad is one my favorite exotic salads. It is a tasty, healthy and EASY meal to prepare. It is worth to try! Quinoa provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It helps regulate the digestive system and keep you fuller and more satisfied. In addition quinoa is gluten free, therefore suitable for people who are allergic to gluten. There are hundreds of cultivated types of quinoa, but the most common versions available in stores are white, red, and black quinoa. Avocado is tasty and beneficial to one’s health and beauty. Hemingway called it: food that has no rival ..read more

Do you like the sweet taste in a savory dish? Try my blueberry risotto! You will love it! The intense color is due to some pigments – called anthocyanin. This pigment gives an inviting look and healthy benefits too. Don’t forget that we eat first with our eyes. Anthocyanin is a type of flavonoid, a class of plant compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Blueberries are also rich in fiber that improves gut health. Goat Robiola is an Italian soft-ripened cheese of the Stracchino family. I like to eat plan with some extra virgin olive oil and pepper and to add it to my recipes when I want a ..read more